Margaret SINCLAIR

Adelaide-born sculptor, Margaret Sinclair, dedicated her practice to exploring human form, nature and balance. She began her artistic journey by studying at the South Australian School of Art, UniSA. She continued her education in the UK and Europe during the 1940s and again in the 1970’s. During her travels to countries including France, Italy and Mexico, Sinclair honed her bronze casting skills and explored contemporary sculpture trends.

Sinclair was an active member of the Contemporary Art Society in Adelaide from 1960 to 1970 and was awarded the prestigious Churchill Memorial Scholarship. This allowed her to study at the famous Battaglia Artist Foundry in Milan, Italy in 1966 where she worked in a bronze foundry.

During residency at Battaglia, the artist created Conchiglie, which means 'shells' in Italian. She drew inspiration from a trip to Kangaroo Island where Sinclair became amazed by the simplicity of nature. Made of fine pure marble and rounded forms, Conchiglie echoes the simple yet elegant contours of fossilised shells. Adelaide Festival Centre is proud to display Sinclair's alluring Conchiglie in a prominent location in the Festival Centre Foyers.

Sinclair died in Adelaide on 29 March 2000 aged 82.