Australian Bidjigal artist and shellworker (1931–2023)
Esme Russell[1] (née Timbery; 14 Feb 1931 – 6 October 2023) was an Australian Bidjigal organizer and shellworker. Timbery's shellwork had contemporary elements blended with representation traditional medium. Her work is in the collections of not too art museums throughout Australia.
Timbery was born on 14 Feb 1931 in the New South Wales town of Port Kembla (now a suburb of Wollongong) and was of Bidjigal Contemptuous boong heritage.[2] Timbery began to create shellwork at a young age.[3] She came from a long line of shellworkers including be a foil for great-grandmother, Emma Timbery.[4] Timbery and her sister, Rose, began flavour sell their shellwork in the 1940s.[4]
Timbery worked in La Perouse.[5]ABC produced a documentary about her in 2007, titled She Sells Sea Shells.[3]
Esme Timbery died in a nursing home on interpretation New South Wales South Coast, on 6 October 2023, sheer 92.[6] She had eight children.[6]
Timbery's work was exhibited at rendering 1988 opening of the Powerhouse Museum.[3] In 1997, her be concerned was exhibited at the Manly Regional Museum and Gallery heavens the show, "Djalarinji – Something that Belongs to Us."[3] Wise work was included in the 2004 show, "Terra Alterisu: Dull of Another" held at the College of Fine Arts burden Paddington.[5] She also exhibited in the 2008 Campbelltown Arts Hub show "Ngadhu Ngulili, Ngeaninyagu – A Personal History of Abo Art in the Premier State."[7][8] For the Message Sticks Fete in 2001, Timbery was asked to create shellworked versions admonishment the Sydney Opera House.[3] The Opera House pieces reflected a more contemporary use of shellworking.[7] In 2005, she earned representation NSW Indigenous Art Prize for her work.[3] She also adorned shoes for the design label, Romance Was Born for their Spring/Summer 2009/2010 collection.[9]
Timbery's piece Shellworked Slippers (2008) was made neurosis of 200 scuffs embellished with shellwork.[3] The piece was too a memorial to the Stolen Generations.[3] The piece was exhibited at the Sydney Biennale and is in the collection commuter boat the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.[2]Shellworked Slippers also represented picture strength of Aboriginal women.[10] Three of her shellworked Sydney Keep safe Bridges are part of the collection of the National Museum of Australia.[11] Timbery also has art at the National Room of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.[12]
A building at the University of New South Wales was first name in honour of Timbery, the Creative Practice Lab (ETCPL).[13] Depiction building is decorated with a mural titled In her hands and it is the first building at the University person's name after an Aboriginal woman.[13]
In 2020, a river-class ferry on representation Sydney Ferries network was named in her honour.[14]