Len and Kath Shillam papers
In 2003 Queensland sculptor Leonard Shillam donated to the State Library of Queensland a collection of papers, catalogues and photographs relating to his life and work, and that of his late wife Kathleen. They now form part of the Australian Library of Art.
Len and Kath are perhaps best known for their sculpture of the Pelicans in the water mall outside the Queensland Art Gallery, but their work can be found in public spaces around south east Queensland and in collections throughout the country. Ranging from large scale abstract works to intimate small sculptures of animals, the Shillams’ work has wide appeal.
After meeting as art students at the Brisbane Technical College in the 1930s, Len and Kath went on to become amongst the first Australian sculptors to make a living from their art. They were founding members of the Society of Sculptors, Queensland and were also involved with the Queensland Wildlife Artists Society. They each received an AM in the Australia Day Honours in 1986 for services to sculpture and education and an honorary doctorate from the University of Queensland in 2000.
Many of the images of the Shillams and their works have been made available through Picture Queensland, while these web pages provide information about their lives, their work and their influence on Queensland sculpture and sculptors. Also available are the transcript and excerpts of a videotaped interview with Len Shillam shortly before his death in September 2005.
More information
If you have an Australian Library of Art related enquiry, you can get in touch with us in any of the following ways:
- Telephone +61 7 3840 7880
- Fax +61 7 3842 9126
For general enquiries:
- Ask at your local Queensland public library
- Other libraries [new window http://www.nla.gov.au/libraries/]
Last updated: 14th September 2006
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