Rise of Prominence
Preston became one of the most powerful supporters of Australian Modernism in the 1920’s. This was closely linked to her travels around Europe between 1904 and 1919. The experiences and exposing of artistic skills would increase Preston's practice, her analytical thinking, and theorizing for the rest of her life. Preston was confident and believed in herself when it came to her artistic talent and was enthusiastic for 'finishing lessons' and traveling abroad to see how she compared on an international level. After her mother, Prudence, had passed away in 1903, Preston traveled around Europe with Bessie Davidson, until 1907. While in Europe, she continued her studies in Munich and Paris, and visiting Italy, Torre strait, Africa and Holland.
Her experience in Munich had been a problematic time for the development of her artistic skills. She studied at the Government Art School for women for a short time, but found it hard to relate to German art, specifically the current trends and teachings. Preston had found it difficult to comprehend the art when she commented that half of German art is mad and vicious and a good deal is dull.
Her experience in Munich had been a problematic time for the development of her artistic skills. She studied at the Government Art School for women for a short time, but found it hard to relate to German art, specifically the current trends and teachings. Preston had found it difficult to comprehend the art when she commented that half of German art is mad and vicious and a good deal is dull.
Preston's experience in Paris had contrasted to that of Munich where she discovered the works of French Post-Impressionists, Cezanne, Gauguin, Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Delauney, Derain, Vlaminck and Roualt. An important part of Preston's experience in Paris included the chance for her to exhibit, taking part in the Paris Salon of 1905 and 1906. An important Parisian experience was when she was first introduced to Japanese art and design at the Musée Guimet, where her opinion of artistic vision and expression would be dramatically changed. Her studies of Japanese art promoted her to a variety of qualities that became apparent in her later work, such as; asymmetry, pattern as the dominant element of design, close up observations of natural patterns, the celebration of specific flora, and a courageous engagement with deliberate primitiveness.
In 1912, Preston visited Paris for a second time with student, Gladys Reyneil and with the advent of World War 1, relocated to the UK, studying pottery and the principals of Roger Fry's Omega workshops. Reyneill and Preston later started teaching pottery and weaving to help shocked soldiers at the Seale-Hayne Neurological Military Hospital in Devonshire. |