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The Society of Arts and Crafts NSW Member - Marjorie L Farmer


The Society of Arts and Crafts of NSW was a guild of artists in New South Wales, Australia established in 1906 by 6 craftspeople. The Society held its first exhibition in 1907 and continued to hold annual exhibitions into the 1930s, with works of metalwork, jewellery, pottery, china painting, weaving, embroidery and pokerwork displayed and sold.

Henry Farmer was a former mayor of Manly and with his wife Rachel had two daughters, Helen and Marjorie. The two Farmer sisters were involved in the Society in the late 1920s-early 1930s. Helen already had a reputation as an artist, being well known for her etchings. Her younger sister Marjorie was more of a jack of all trades and is recorded as creating a number of different pieces in different mediums. She also served on the executive in 1928. After the death of their parents, both sisters moved out to Bathurst in 1936 and lived there for the rest of their lives.

A description of some of the work noted by Miss Farmer and other members. 
The Sun (1930, February 18)

Two hand painted vases of Flannel Flowers and Wattle

Signature on the Flannel Flower Vase - 'M.FARMER'

We had the joy of finding some of Marjorie's signed china painting recently. It consists of two beautifully done vases with Australian flora and a series of landscapes on one large and six small plates. Each is signed 'M.FARMER'.








Three of the five landscapes painted and signed 'M.FARMER'.
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