A Life in Art and Education
Jacqueline Hick was an Australian painter who focused her practice on the human figure and the Australian landscape. Her artistic journey began with studies at the Girls' Central Art School, followed by teacher training at Adelaide Teachers' College. Seeking to expand her horizons, she traveled to study at the Central School of Art and Design in London and the Académie Montmartre in Paris, and later spent time in Italy, England, and France between 1948 and 1950.
Her career was marked by a significant role in art education; she taught at the South Australian School of Arts and Crafts, where she was noted for being instrumental in introducing students to modernism. Beyond the classroom, she was a founding member of the Contemporary Art Society of South Australia in 1942. Her dedication to the arts was further recognized when she served as a trustee at the Art Gallery of South Australia from 1968 until 1976.
Themes and Recognition
Hick's body of work was diverse, ranging from landscapes to portraits, and she was primarily a figure painter in oils, though she also worked in prints, enamels, and set designs. Her subject matter often explored the human suffering of Indigenous Australians and the adverse effects of metropolitan life.
Throughout her career, she received numerous accolades, including:
In recognition of her service to art as an artist and teacher, she was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia. Her works are held in prestigious permanent collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of South Australia, and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
