May Gibbs b. 17 January 1877

Also known as Cecilia May Gibbs
  • Artist (Draughtsman),
  • Artist (Painter),
  • Artist (Cartoonist / Illustrator)
Creator of the famous tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, the Gumnut babies, Gibbs began her career as a cartoonist and hoped to be recognised as an exhibiting painter. She travelled to London whenever she could to study and improve her technique. Not especially social with other artists (although she did exhibit regularly), she would become better known for enchanting the public with her charming illustrated works.

Citations

  • Walsh, Maureen (1985), 'Herbert William Gibbs and May Gibbs’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol 8, ed. D. Pike, A. Shaw, M. Clark, B. Nairn, G. Serle and R. Ward, Melbourne, Victoria.

  • Ambrus, Caroline (1984), 'The Ladies’ Picture Show’, Sydney, NSW.

  • de Berg, Hazel (25 May 1968), 'Interview with May Gibbs’, Canberra, ACT: National Library of Australia oral history tapes.

  • Information sourced from Cook, David.

  • Information sourced from Foyle, Lindsay.

  • Handyside, Bronwyn (1977), ''A Tribute to May Gibbs (1876-1969)’, Lip 2, pp 36-38.

  • Holden, Robert (1984), 'May Gibbs and her Fantasy World’, Sydney, New South Wales: James Hardie Library catalogue.

  • Kerr, Joan (1999), 'Artists and Cartoonists in Black and White’, Sydney, New South Wales: National Trust S.H. Ervin Gallery.

  • McVitty, Walter (1989), 'Authors & Illustrators of Australian Children’s Books’, Sydney, New South Wales.

  • Moore, William (1907), 'Careers for Australasian Girls IX – What the Artist’s Life Offers’, New Idea, 12-06, pp.849.

  • Muir, Marcie (1977), 'Australian Children’s Book Illustrators’, Melbourne, Victoria.

  • Radi, Heather (1988), 'May Gibbs’, 200 Australian Women, ed. H. Radi, Sydney, New South Wales: Redress Press.

  • Rafty, Tony and Brodie Mack (1964), 'Fifty Years of Australian Cartooning’, Sydney, New South Wales: Blaxland Gallery.

  • Information sourced from Ryan, John.

  • Thomas, Rebecca (1995), 'The Work of Art’, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW.

  • (1925), 'The mother of the Gum-Nuts’, Australian Woman’s Mirror, 07-21.

  • (1926), Australian Home Beautiful, 03-12.

  • (1889), West Australian, 12-11.

  • Information sourced from Juliana Bayfield, Children’s Literature Research Collection, State Library of South Australia, Adelaide.

  • Lindesay, Vane (1994), 'Drawing from Life: a history of the Australian Black and White Artists’ Club’, Sydney, New South Wales: State Library of New South Wales Press.

  • Walsh, Maureen (1985), 'Mother of the Gumnuts: Her Life and Work’, North Ryde, New South Wales.

  • Callaway, Anita (1995), 'May Gibbs’, Sydney, New South Wales: Fine Arts Press; Heritage (biog. & section 11, plate 472).

See also

  • 'self-portrait 1911, ink caricature on postcard (ill. Heritage)'.

Initial data sources

  • Heritage with additions