Curtain
Textile length
Maker & role
John Kaldor for Sekers Fabrics, Manufacturer; John Olsen, Designer
Production date
circa 1963
See full details
Object detail
Title
Marine Encounter
Production place
Measurements
0 - Whole, H: 270 x W: 210cm (H: 2700 x W: 2100mm)
Credit line
Purchase, 2009
Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Curtain, "Marine Encounter" textile design by John Olsen for Sekers Fabrics, circa 1963
Description
One of four (two pairs) lined cotton curtains, designed by artist John Olsen for Sekers Fabrics. This curtain (one of four), together with a pair designed by Ian van Wieringen from the same series, were originally used in a house in the Melbourne suburb of Ringwood East. The Van Weiringen curtains had hung in a front entrance lobby; the Olsen curtains were in a front living area: both on the front windows and the back windows facing the garden.
In January 1963, Sydney-based firm Sekers Fabrics (also known as Sekers Silks) launched 'Australian Artists Originals', a range of furnishing textiles, at the 'Art in décor' exhibition at the Dominion Art Gallery. The fabrics were designed by ten contemporary Australian artists and exhibited alongside the original artworks. The artists were Judy Cassab, John Coburn, Russell Drysdale, Cedric Flower, Donald Friend, James Gleeson, Elaine Haxton, Clement Meadmore, John Olsen and Ian van Wieringen.
An article in Woman's Day magazine in January 1963 declared that 'art-loving homemakers, who could never afford to own original paintings by famous artists … can now turn fabric connoisseurs. They’ll be able to curtain their windows, upholster their furniture, and cover their cushions in fabrics designed by these artists'. Each design was available in a number of colourways.
The Australian branch of Sekers Silks was operated from 1949 by Hungarian émigrés Otto 'Andrew' and Vera Kaldor. The Kaldors had been in the textile trade in Europe in the 1930s and were friends of Nicholas (later Sir Nicholas) 'Miki' Sekers, the founder of the parent Sekers company in England in 1938.
The 'Australian Artists Originals' range was a departure for the Sekers label, which until then usually sourced designs from Europe. The artists were selected by the Kaldors’ son, John, now better known for his collection and sponsorship of international contemporary art. John Kaldor trained in textile design in Europe during the 1950s and after working for a time in the industry, returned to Sekers Silks with his parents in the early 1960s. He proposed the idea for the 'Australian Artists Originals' range and then managed the process– after the selected artists produced their designs, John Kaldor styled all the textiles and curated the original exhibition. The textiles were printed by the Kanebo company in Japan.
At the time he designed 'Marine Encounter', John Olsen produced some of his best known works of art including the 'You Beaut Country' series. By the early 60s, Olsen had developed a new visual language for the depiction of the Australian landscape – his 'landscapes of the mind' involved a total immersion into the environment in which animals, plants, space, light and water all inhabited the one plane. Olsen uses this method in his design 'Marine encounter', this time depicting the sea or possibly Sydney Harbour, one his favourite subjects. The textile maintains the painterly effects of the swirling water, the sun reflected and sea plants or creatures.
In January 1963, Sydney-based firm Sekers Fabrics (also known as Sekers Silks) launched 'Australian Artists Originals', a range of furnishing textiles, at the 'Art in décor' exhibition at the Dominion Art Gallery. The fabrics were designed by ten contemporary Australian artists and exhibited alongside the original artworks. The artists were Judy Cassab, John Coburn, Russell Drysdale, Cedric Flower, Donald Friend, James Gleeson, Elaine Haxton, Clement Meadmore, John Olsen and Ian van Wieringen.
An article in Woman's Day magazine in January 1963 declared that 'art-loving homemakers, who could never afford to own original paintings by famous artists … can now turn fabric connoisseurs. They’ll be able to curtain their windows, upholster their furniture, and cover their cushions in fabrics designed by these artists'. Each design was available in a number of colourways.
The Australian branch of Sekers Silks was operated from 1949 by Hungarian émigrés Otto 'Andrew' and Vera Kaldor. The Kaldors had been in the textile trade in Europe in the 1930s and were friends of Nicholas (later Sir Nicholas) 'Miki' Sekers, the founder of the parent Sekers company in England in 1938.
The 'Australian Artists Originals' range was a departure for the Sekers label, which until then usually sourced designs from Europe. The artists were selected by the Kaldors’ son, John, now better known for his collection and sponsorship of international contemporary art. John Kaldor trained in textile design in Europe during the 1950s and after working for a time in the industry, returned to Sekers Silks with his parents in the early 1960s. He proposed the idea for the 'Australian Artists Originals' range and then managed the process– after the selected artists produced their designs, John Kaldor styled all the textiles and curated the original exhibition. The textiles were printed by the Kanebo company in Japan.
At the time he designed 'Marine Encounter', John Olsen produced some of his best known works of art including the 'You Beaut Country' series. By the early 60s, Olsen had developed a new visual language for the depiction of the Australian landscape – his 'landscapes of the mind' involved a total immersion into the environment in which animals, plants, space, light and water all inhabited the one plane. Olsen uses this method in his design 'Marine encounter', this time depicting the sea or possibly Sydney Harbour, one his favourite subjects. The textile maintains the painterly effects of the swirling water, the sun reflected and sea plants or creatures.
Accession number
L2009/78-1
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