Design and Art Australia Online

designer, was born in Burwood, Sydney, on 31 July 1887, eldest of the seven children of John Shorter, an agent for several British firms in Australia, including Doulton’s Pottery. Her mother was a gifted artist who had studied under Louis Bilton. Lucille (known as Lulu), studied art at Granville Technical College under Alfred Coffey (c.1904-08), then travelled to England with her father in 1908 for six months. After her return she studied at the National Art School, East Sydney Technical College. She revisited Britain in 1917-18 and on later occasions.

The National Gallery of Australia holds several works by Shorter, including her pen-and-ink design for a flannel flower plate border (c.1906-07) designed for the prestigious international magazine, Keramic Decoration ; it was donated by the artist in 1985. In 1988, aged 100, Shorter was able to see her work on display with the later gift of her father’s large Doulton ceramic collection at the newly-opened Powerhouse Museum (MAAS). She died at a Mona Vale (Sydney) nursing home on 12 August 1989, aged 102.

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Writers:

Kerr, Joan Note: Heritage biography.

Date written:

1995

Last updated:

2011