Portrait of Mandy Martin, 1990, by artist Anne Zahalka. Image courtesy the artist. Supplied. Collection National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.
Mandy Martin was brave on many counts. She faced a long battle with cancer with dignity, and a long career with a passion for the issues that count.
She is known for her role in the early chapters of feminist art in Australia from the mid-1970s, in particular giving voice to migrant women workers. She made her name as a print maker first, including strongly politically motivated posters, before moving her focus to Australia’s industrial footprint and the environment, and to big ‘meaty’ oil paintings.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
Instagram: fairleygina
