The Australia Council acknowledges the passing on Monday 28 October 2013 of Marea Gazzard AM.

Marea Gazzard was an influential and significant artist who practiced in sculpture and clay. Her works are held in many significant private collections as well as in Australia’s leading art institutions, including the Art Gallery of South Australia, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, Queensland Art Gallery and the SH Ervine Gallery, which held a major retrospective in 1994.

The Australia Council is proud to have funded Marea a number of times, including the Australia Artists Creative Fellowship in 1989.

Marea was also a leader and advocate for the visual arts and in particular the craft sector. In 1973 she was the inaugural chair of the Crafts Board of the Australia Council. She also held positions of huge importance nationally and internationally including:

1970 Director of the World Craft Council

1972 Vice President of the World Crafts Council for Asia

1980 First elected President of the World Craft Council

1982 Australian National Commission of UNESCO

Australia Council Executive Director Arts Funding Frank Panucci paid tribute to Marea and her work. Marea Gazzard was a valued artist and an incredible advocate for the artistic community, Mr Panucci said. She will be sorely missed by many and The Australia Council acknowledges and thanks her for the huge contribution she made to the sector through her service as the chair of the Crafts Board.

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