PROFILE

MARGARET IS A GRADUATE of the SA School of Art and Adelaide University and received a Masters Degree in Fine Art at Columbia University New York. During 15 years residency in New York, Margaret worked as an instructor for Sarah Lawrence College and Parsons School of Art & Design, as well as a freelance illustrator for Macmillan Publishers. She worked for Sol Le Witt and studied with Richard Serra and Lucy Lippard.

RETURNING TO AUSTRALIA Margaret re-established her art practice and is represented in the Australian National Gallery, Art Gallery of SA, Art Gallery of NSW, Queensland Art Gallery GOMA, the Cruthers Collection WA, Artbank, Curtin, SA & Flinders Universities in Australia and Columbia University in the USA. Margaret has participated in prestigious invitational exhibitions including the Tokyo Biennale, Adelaide Biennial, The Sydney Biennale, the National Helen Lempriere Sculpture Award and the National McClelland Sculpture Survey. She won the Lorne Sculpture Biennale 2018 Award and the SA Government House Residency and sculpture commission.

IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HER PRACTICE, Margaret established WORTH CONSULTING’, [Art, Design, Culture and Planning], reflecting her commitment to creating better public places. The focus is on making connections between people and places, heightening awareness and improving amenity. The outcomes are public spaces with greater interest, significance and social vitality.

MARGARET'S FOCUS is currently on exhibition works that connect imagination, experience and memory through physical materials, sound and movement. The achievement of making connections is central to her creative approach and output.


ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

1972 Master Degree in Fine Arts, Columbia University, New York NY.
1970 Advanced Studies Certificate, School of Visual Arts, New York NY.
1967 Diploma in Art Education, South Australian School of Art + Adelaide University SA.

SELECTED PUBLIC ART COLLECTIONS    

Australian National Gallery; National Gallery Victoria; Art Gallery of South Australia; Art Gallery NSW; Queensland Art Gallery GOMA; Artbank, Australia; Columbia University, New York, USA; Flinders University SA; University of SA South Australia; Curtin University, WA; Cruthers Collection WA; Mornington Peninsula Reg. Gallery Vic., New England Regional Art Gallery NSW, Murray Bridge Regional Gallery SA.

AWARDS + GRANTS

2018 Government House Residency and sculpture commission SA, Arts SA & Country Arts SA.
2018 LORNE SCULPTURE BIENNALE 2018 AWARD, Victoria. www.lornesculpture.com
2017 ARTS SA IMPP Grant, Project Development ‘VAJRASANA meditation’ for exhibit LSB18.
2015 SA Digital Theatre Mentorship, Country Arts SA. http://www.countryarts.org.au/news/welcome-to-our-digital-theatre-mentee/#sthash.9KcrpcmE.dpuf
2014 Arts SA, impp Grants for Professional & Project Development in Digital Media.
2012

Centenary of Canberra Celebrations, grant for Project Development & Presentation Robyn Archer’s ‘One River’
http://oneriver.com.au/one-river-projects/one-river-goolwa-and-murray-mouth/

2012 Arts SA, grant for New Work Development and exhibition on simultaneous multiple realities.
2012 Country Arts SA, grant for professional development in using digital media.
2011 Environmental Award, Sculpture by the Sea, Brighton Jetty Classic.
2009 Arts SA, grant for New Works Development and exhibition on Dusts.
2003 Encounter 2002, National Major Events Award, Victor Harbor, installation and launch event: https://margaretworth.com.au/works/on-occoupied-territory----encounter-2002-encounter-bay-2003
2002 ARTS SA, grant for Research and Development and exhibition of environmentally interactive wind instruments.
1999 Civic Trust Award SA Brighton Jetty art installation ‘The Elements at Play’
https://margaretworth.com.au/works/the-elements-at-play----brighton-jetty-sa
1996 National & State Awards, Healthy Heart Local Govt. Best Specialist Project Perry Barr Farm, ‘Play Way’.  
1995 National CEAD Award Community Environment Art & Design, National Sir Zelman Cowan Award, RAIA Award South Australia, BHP Award, Civic Trust Award South Australia Swallowcliffe Schools.
https://margaretworth.com.au/works/swallowcliffe-schools--davoren-park

SELECTED COMMISSIONED ARTWORKS FOR PUBLIC PLACES

2016

'RIPPLE EFFECT' Ocean Street Victor Harbor SA projection sequence based on community-selected icons.

2008

MAKING TRACKS + SWINGING TALES, Causeway and Foreshore Entrances, Port Augusta SA.

2003

COLLECTING THOUGHTS, interactive sound work, Technology Park, Mawson Lakes SA

2003

ON OCCUPIED TERRITORY, Victor Harbor, memorial to the meeting of Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin, Encounter Bay SA.

2002

SALT WALL and solar powered ‘IRRIGATION FOUNTAIN’ art installations, Waikerie on R. Murray SA

2000

TJUKURPA WANGKAPAI, Concept and Design Development for a meeting place at the town centre, Amata SA.

1999

THE ELEMENTS AT PLAY, Brighton Jetty, SA, light, wind and the waves create sound and visual art works.

1997

TJIRBRUKI GATEWAY, Marion SA, a reconciliation project and event with on-going ceremonies for the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre. A collaboration between Margaret Worth, Sherry Rankine and Gavin Malone.

1995

ADELAIDE ARRIVE, art & Design Concept for air and rail entrances to Adelaide, includes bus shelters, pavement inlays, Mile End Wall.

1990

THE PINNAROO MURAL Design and co-ordination of the production of the mural by the community. The design was based on community priorities and is a reflection of their affect on and pride in their environment.

SELECTED EVENTS and EXHIBITIONS

2023

Retrospective Exhibition MARGARET WORTH: Earth & Ether, Riddoch Arts and Culture Centre, SA, curator Eleanor Scicchitano.

2022

Sculpture by the Sea Bondi 2022, collaborative work with Chinese artist Cui Yi, Grafting Cultures.

2020

Know My Name, a project of the National Gallery of Australia incorporating billboards, exhibition, publication, commissions and events. Exhibition curators Dr. Deborah Hart & Elspeth Pitt. https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/knowmyname/

2019

Government House SA Residency and commission for 'As One'. Country Arts SA and Art Gallery SA. https://margaretworth.com.au/works/government-house-residency

2018

Lorne Sculpture Biennale 2018 Award for ‘VAJRASANA meditation’. https://margaretworth.com.au/exhibitions/--landfall---lorne-sculpture-biennale

2017-18

Abstraction: Celebrating Australian Women Abstract Artists National Gallery of Australia Touring Exhibition, curator Lara Nicholls. https://margaretworth.com.au/exhibitions/abstraction--celebrating-australian-women-abstract-artists

2017

Margaret Worth solo exhibition, Charles Nodrum Gallery Vic. https://margaretworth.com.au/exhibitions/--margaret-worth---charles-nodrum-gallery-victoria

2016

Heysen Sculpture Biennial, Out of Ashes, selected entry, Hahndorf SA.

2015

Mining the Mind: Material Memory, solo exhibition at Flinders Medical Centre, SA.

2014-15

Where are you? What Time is it? How do you know? Solo exhibition for SALA Festival, Goolwa SA, Araluen Alice Springs NT.

2013

One River: Alluvial Connections, Regional Creative Director for national project, Robyn Archer’s Centenary of Canberra Celebrations, presented Goolwa SA, Canberra ACT.

2012

Caloundra Regional Art Gallery Prize, Queensland. selected entry.

2011

Heysen Sculpture Biennial, Hahndorf SA, selected entry.

2010-12

Drop the Dust, SALA Festival, Flinders University City Gallery, SA & national touring with artist Pam Kouwenhoven

2011

Fleurieu Biennale Art& Environment Project, Fox Creek Winery selected participation.

2011

Sculpture by the Sea, Brighton, SA selected entry.

2009

Arid A Sculptural Collaboration, Australian Arid Lands Botanical Gardens, Port Augusta SA, selected entry.

2008-10

In the Top Paddock, SA touring exhibn. with designer Toyotake Yamauchi, Country Arts SA.

2007

National McClelland Sculpture Survey + Award, Mc Clelland Park, Victoria selected entry.

2006

National Helen Lempriere Sculpture Award Exhibition, Werribee Park, Victoria selected entry.

2006

Fleurieu Peninsular Biennale Art Prize, McClaren Vale, SA selected entry.

2004

‘LAND MARKS’, interactive wind instruments & paintings, FLINDERS UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM City Gallery, SA.

2003

‘BIG IDEAS’, models + maquettes for public places proposals, Convention Ctr. Adelaide, curator + exhibitor.

2001

‘TJUKURPA WANGKAPAI’ Exhibition & Floor Talk at Watch Thi1995s Space, ALICE SPRINGS NT.

1995

'BLAST FROM THE PAST', GEELONG ART GALLERY Victoria.

1995

'1968' AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL GALLERY, curators Christine Dixon + Michael Desmond.

1995

AUSTRALIAN WOMEN ARTISTS, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL GALLERY, curator Mary Eagle.

1995

'CONDUIT', Margaret Worth, Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide.

1995

'LANDFORMS', Margaret Worth, touring exhibition Burnie Tas., Waikerie + Renmark SA.

1994

MELBOURNE FESTIVAL Gasworks Exhibition, Melbourne.

1992

ADELAIDE BIENNIAL, 'UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY’ curator Timothy Morrell.

1991

'PERSPECTA', Western Sites, SYDNEY, curator Campbell Gray.1990

1990

'CIRCA '69 AD', Contemporary Art Centre, Adelaide, curator John Stringer.

1990

'ME-MORI-AL', Margaret Worth, relief sculptures, Art-Zone Gallery, Adelaide.

1989

'ARCHETYPAL STRATEGIES', TOURING Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney, Murwillumbah, Brisbane.

1989

'COLLECTIVE: RECENT ADELAIDE ART', Contemporary Art Gallery, Adelaide, curator Tim Morrell.

1989

'RECENT ACQUISITIONS' ART GALLERY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, curator Jane Hylton.

1988

'EDGE WATCH Margaret Worth,' paintings, Tynte Gallery, Adelaide.1

1988

'FOREST FRAGMENTS, Margaret Worth' Three dimensional paintings and drawings, ART-ZONE GALLERY, Adelaide.

1986

SESQUICENTENARY Exhibition, GREENHILL GALLERIES, Adelaide, curator V. Swain.1984

1984

'EXPATRIATES 1' Contemporary Art Gallery, Adelaide, curator Chris Coventry.1969

1970

ADELAIDE FESTIVAL OF ARTS 'COLLECTION ELLIOT ALDRIDGE: post war paintings',

1970

MARGARET WORTH Paintings at Llewellyn Galleries Adelaide SA.

1969

TOKYO BIENNALE, Japanese Cultural Forum, selected to represent Australia.

1969

MARGARET WORTH, Pinacotheca Gallery Melbourne, shaped paintings and drawings.

1968

‘3 DIMENSIONAL PAINTINGS: Margaret Worth, Nigel Lendon, Ian Chandler, Virginia Jay’, BONYTHON GALLERY, SYDNEY NSW.1968

1968

NEW ART SCENE, Contemporary Art Society, David Jones Gallery Sydney. Awarded 'High Commendation'.

1967

MARGARET WORTH, Contemporary Art Society Gallery Adelaide, paintings.

1967

ARMIDALE BIENNIAL PRIZE, Armidale NSW.

1967

CONTEMPORARY ART SOCIETY, Exhibition, Sydney

1966

ESSO INVITATION AWARD, toured Australia.

SHORT-LISTED on INTERNATIONAL COMMISSIONS

2009

Master Institute of Science and Technology (M.I.S.T.), Dubai, ceiling and screen walls.
2008 Guangzhou Culture Centre, China, foyer walls.
2007

City of Dreams, casino Macau, signage tower.

SELECTED COMMUNITY PROJECTS

2014 Sculpture Encounters, sculpture trail on Granite Island SA, working to promote beneficial opportunities for sculptors together with the promotion of Victor Harbor SA as a tourist destination.
2009 Public Image + Cultural environment, working with disparate community interest groups for full representation in the Causeway & Foreshore areas of Port Augusta SA.
2007 Curator, Our Changing Times Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Renmark Rose Festival, Ruston’s Roses. Working to promote local sculptors and enrich a tourist destination and event.
2007 Public Art Plan 10 years, Parafield Gardens Schools including spatial and cultural analyses, rationale, recommendations, artists briefs and contractual requirements. Working to enrich the education environment.
2006 Public Image + Cultural environment, implementation Windsor Gardens Vocational College.
2005 Public Image + Cultural environment concept plan Victor Harbor HS.
2004-06 City Image, concept, planning & design for Port Augusta, including South Entrance and Foreshore.
1999-02 Tjukurpa Wangkapai, Amata, SA. Visiting artist/designer collaborating with the Anangu Pitjantjatjara and Yunkunytjatjara for a safer space in the town centre for women and children to gather.
1998-00

Tarnannga The Night Landscape, Christie Creek, Morphett Vale. Principal artist/designer for CPTED [Crime Prevention through Environmental Design] and CEAD [community Environment Art Design] Project to improve safety and amenity of the environment. Infrastructure as artworks including lighting, bridges, toilet building, landscape planning and creek management.

1996-97 Waikerie Interpretive Park, Principal Artist + Designer. Concept and design interpreting cultural issues as they relate to the River Murray, Salination, Horticulture and Dry Land Farming.
1996-97 Continental Park – Port Elliot, Concept Development interpreting the history of the site & including the demolished harbour-master’s cottage. A collaboration with Habitable Places.
1996 Multi-Function Polis Osborne Railway Station New Haven, City of Port Adelaide, Design, fabrication and installation of sculpture elements as part of a collaboration with Trans Adelaide, MFP and SA Housing Trust for the total station design. The concept addressed issues of isolation, security, comfort and imaginative stimulation.
1996 Mile End Wall, Design and construction of a housing development wall to mark an important historical site in SA.
1995-96 Playway' Perry Barr Farm, Hallett Cove. State and National Design for Health Awards. Development and implementation of an Equal Access Play Space for people with disabilities.
1995 Warriparinga Interpretive Centre – City of Marion SA. Development of concept and management plan for an Aboriginal and European Australian interpretive centre. Collaboration with architects Phillips & Pilkington, planners Cielens and Wark, representatives of the Kaurna people and local community.
1994 Renmark Avenue Plan, Development of a Concept Plan for the commercial centre of Renmark including the streetscape and development of the median as a park featuring the history of Renmark and the River Murray. Collaboration with Robert Miles, architect.
1994 Renmark Riverfront Development, Development of a concept for 3.5Km of the riverfront at Renmark. The concept included a pathway linking six sections along the riverfront, development of those sections, two wharves and the identification of sites for artworks interpretating the local culture, environment and history. Collaboration with Robert Miles, architect.
1993 Perry Barr Farm Development, Development of a concept for an historic farm in the middle of a new suburban area, to become a community centre The concept included provision for a variety of activity groups both indoors and outdoors, maintaining the rustic character, reinstating the immediate environs of the farmhouse, and residents and visitors alike. Collaboration with Habitable Places and Alan Cameron, landscape architect.
1993 West Torrens Civic Centre Winner of Art and Architecture Commendation, Concept Development for artworks to address the context of a civic centre, the culture and the history of the West Torrens area.
Collaboration with the architects of Walter Brooke and Associates.
1993 Naracoorte Creek Development Project Development of a concept and plan for 5 Km of the Naracoorte Creek. Collaboration with the architect Robert Miles, and the Project Committee.

 

EMPLOYMENT

1988 - Self-employed Artist & Designer.
1970s Freelance illustrator: Encyclopœdia, Macmillan Publishers New York, NY; Student Magazine, Scholastic Publishers New York, NY.
1977-81 Teaching tertiary: Parsons School of Design NY, Sarah Lawrence College International Summer School, France; Columbia-Greene Community College NY.
1967-69 Teaching secondary schools SA.