The Dog, the Cat
This large, two-sectioned work is an example of Hanrahan's skill in creating bold, vibrant shapes with her engraving technique. In comparison to her later, exquisitely defined pieces like the 'Seasons' series (1977), or 'The Actress' (1979), this work is a strong, chunky interpretation of her subject and is evidence of the application of a different technique, for example wood block.
The Dog and Cat are almost cartoon-like and appear larger than life, due to the way the ink has clung to the paper in the negative spaces. Hanrahan may have hand coloured the work at a later date, making the subjects seem suspended, almost vibrating in the frame. The leaves in the bottom section have also been coloured with green, which subtly draws the two sections together. The text itself is whimsical and similar to a children's nursey rhyme in tone
Archival No. PRG 961/8/1
Description/Quantity 54.6 cm x 57.9 cm (image); 74.2 cm x 94.5 cm x 2.1 cm (framed)
Format Original artwork (mixed medium); printed artwork (engraving)
Contents PRIMARY INSCRIPTION: (bot r) "The Dog, the Cat 15/25" (pencil), (bot l) "Barbara Hanrahan 1962/1988", (bot l - bot r) "THE DOG WILL COME WHEN HE IS CALLED,; THE CAT WILL WALK AWAY.; THE MONKEY'S CHEEK IS VERY BALD,; THE GOAT IS FOND OF PLAY." (hand carved, printed-black ink); SECONDARY INSCRIPTION: "PRG 961/6/15" (blue pen). This work has been incorrectly inscribed - it should read 'PRG 961/8/1'
Other Versions Digital and use copies required
Related Recs This artwork is part of an archival records group. To see a summary of this group do a NUMBER search on 961
Name HANRAHAN, Barbara, 1939-1991
Subject Printmakers -- Australia
Prints -- 20th century -- Australia
Prints -- Australia -- Technique
Hanrahan, Barbara, 1939-1991 -- Bibliography -- Catalogs
State Library of South Australia -- Catalogs
Hanrahan, Barbara, 1939-1991 -- Criticism and interpretation
Hanrahan, Barbara, 1939-1991 -- Diaries
Novelists, Australian -- Diaries
Printmakers -- Australia -- Diaries
Hanrahan, Barbara, 1939-1991 -- Exhibitions
Prints, Australian -- Exhibitions
Women authors, Australian -- 20th century -- Exhibitions
Printmakers -- South Australia -- Exhibitions
Collage, Australian -- Exhibitions
Watercolor painting, Australian -- Exhibitions
Summary This large, two-sectioned work is an example of Hanrahan's skill in creating bold, vibrant shapes with her engraving technique. In comparison to her later, exquisitely defined pieces like the 'Seasons' series (1977), or 'The Actress' (1979), this work is a strong, chunky interpretation of her subject and is evidence of the application of a different technique, for example wood block. The Dog and Cat are almost cartoon-like and appear larger than life, due to the way the ink has clung to the paper in the negative spaces. Hanrahan may have hand coloured the work at a later date, making the subjects seem suspended, almost vibrating in the frame. The leaves in the bottom section have also been coloured with green, which subtly draws the two sections together. The text itself is whimsical and similar to a children's nursery rhyme in tone
History Barbara Janice Hanrahan was born in Adelaide, South Australia, 6 September 1939. She lost her father to Tuberculosis when she was one and was brought up a lone child by her mother, a commercial artist. She lived with both her Grandmother and Aunt in her Grandmotherʼs house in Thebarton. In 1955 she moved to Oaklands Park with her mother and new Stepfather. She studied at the South Australian School of art from 1957-62. She began printmaking in 1960 and until 1963 worked part-time with Udo Sellbach and Karen Schepers. From 1963-4 she continued her studies at the Central School of Art in London, gaining a Diploma in Etching with distinctions. She continued there for another year with post diploma skills in etching, lithography, wood engraving and silkscreen. From 1961-2 Hanrahan taught as Western Teacherʼs College and at the South Australian School of Art during 1964-5, then at Falmouth College of Art from 1967-70. The year 1973 saw the publication of her book, ʻThe scent of Eucalyptusʼ a memoir of childhood, followed in 1974 by ʻSea Greenʼ, a novel. Hanrahan says of her own etchings, 'the two parts: the image on the plate and the printing of it on to paper are quite different processes. They donʼt go together; theyʼre as different as clean and dirty hands' (Kempf: 1976). Hanrahanʼs work 'presents strange unique blend of the decorative ornateness of the wood-engraver illustrator, and the defiant explicit sexuality informed by feminism and a commentary on pop culture' (Grishin: 1994). Hanrahan was a prolific artist, producing more than 400 prints over the years, as well as a number of paintings, and her work was exhibited in Australia, London and France. She held over 30 one-woman exhibitions. She was writer in residence at the University of Adelaide for a period in 1987, and later the same year, at Rollins College, Florida (USA). [Grishin, Sasha (1994) ʻContemporary Australian Printmakingʼ Craftsman House, NSW. Kempf, Franz (1976) 'Contemporary Australian Printmakers' Landsdo