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The Artists Diary: Portraits By Judy Cassab @ The National Portrait Gallery

Vanessa de Largie | Topic Media | November 19, 2013

Notable and award winning female artist Judy Cassab – is a trailblazer in the world of art and life. Born in Austria in 1920, her entire family were killed in Auscwitz. She attended the Academy of Art in Prague.

In the late 1930’s she married her husband, who was eventually forced into Nazi-forced labor camps. On his return, they would have two sons.

By 1950, the family had moved to Sydney Australia to try and put the horrific memories behind them. In the fifties, it was difficult for a female artist to survive and prosper in a foreign landscape. Judy later confessed in interviews that it was a challenge to balance marriage, motherhood and the life of an artist.

Judy Cassab’s tragedies and challenges is what made the woman and her art. Her work often being labelled as haunting, strong, resilient and vibrant. Judy Cassab had 50 solo exhibits in Australia as well as 20 or so overseas. She was the second woman to win the Archibald Prize but more impressive than that, she won it twice.

From the 21st of November until the 10th of December- The Artists Diary: Portraits by Judy Cassab, will be exhibited at The National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.

Don’t miss your chance to see this wonderful Australian artist’s work. Check out the website for more info.