potter, craftworker, broadcaster and bark artist, was born in Melbourne, daughter of Arthur Barker and Eliza, née Stribley, and younger sister of the influential Brisbane artist and teacher, Caroline Barker . She moved with her family to Brisbane in 1920, where she was educated at Somerville House; Nina Stoddart was her art teacher. In 1925 she enrolled as a full-time student at the Brisbane Central Technical College, taking pottery classes with L.J. Harvey and painting with Martyn Roberts. She exhibited pottery with the Queensland Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association (1927-33), the Arts and Crafts Society of Queensland (1930-31) and the Royal Queensland Art Society (1929-32). She was awarded first prize for original design at the 1931 Royal National Exhibition for her hand-built earthenware bowl with carved modelled and glazed decoration using local clays. One of her vases (1931) is in the collection of the Queensland Art Gallery.
Harvey encouraged Barker to take up sculpture and allowed her to work after hours at the Central Technical College (in 1934 William Moore called her a promising sculptor); but the necessary advanced study in Sydney was precluded by the state of her health (she suffered from asthma). Agnes began to work from home, making hand-painted brooches. Sales were so good that in 1931 she visited England on the proceeds.
On her return she established her own studio, called Novelart, in the Heindorff Building, Queen Street. As well as acquiring a small printing press and guillotine to produce the illustrative work she marketed in Sydney and Melbourne, she had a small electric kiln for ceramics; but the former proved so demanding that she gave up pottery in 1934.
Barker exhibited annually with the Arts and Crafts Society of Queensland until 1941. In 1937 she introduced enamelled pewter work to Brisbane and cork work in 1940-41. In the late 1940s she opened a craft shop, Bronte, in her sister’s painting studio in George Street. In 1953 she married Harold Richardson and shortly afterwards gave up the craft sho
In 1959 Agnes Barker was approached by Channel 7 to demonstrate crafts that could be made in the home. The following year she made over 50 television appearances; in 1960 she also appeared on Channel 9 in Sydney. She later concentrated on bark painting and oriental brush painting, exhibiting examples of both with the Royal Queensland Art Society.
Barker died in Mount Olivet Hospital, Brisbane, on 25 April 2008. A service was held at Mount Gravatt Crematorium on 30 April 2008.
- Writers:
- Cooke, Glenn R.
- Date written:
- 1995
- Last updated:
- 2011
