A remarkable collection of photographs, long hidden from public view, is now casting new light on the artistic dynasty of Australia's Boyd family. The exhibition, 'The Hidden Line: Art of the Boyd Women', is currently on display at the Bundanon Art Museum in New South Wales, showcasing 48 works by painter and potter Mary Nolan (née Boyd).
Unearthing a Forgotten Archive
The images were recently discovered within the archives of the National Library of Australia, offering an intimate glimpse into the creative lives of a family where art was an everyday pursuit. Bundanon itself, a 1,000-hectare site on the NSW south coast, was once the home of renowned Australian artist Arthur Boyd and his wife Yvonne. The museum's latest show deliberately shifts focus to the women of the family, whose own significant contributions have historically been overshadowed.
Mary Nolan, Arthur Boyd's sister, was first married to artist John Perceval, with whom she had four children. After moving to London, she later married the celebrated artist Sidney Nolan in 1978. While known for her painting and pottery, her photographic eye remained largely unrecognised until now. The exhibition runs until 15 February.
A Family Immersed in Art
The photographs serve as a poignant visual diary, primarily featuring Nolan's children – Matthew, Celia, Alice, and Tessa Perceval – all of whom grew up to become artists. Exhibition curator Sophie O'Brien notes that Nolan was "clearly always at the ready to capture striking visual moments." The archive contains hundreds of images of the family painting en plein air, depicting an upbringing where creativity was woven into the fabric of daily life.
One standout image, selected as the exhibition's hero, shows daughter Tessa in Arles, France, in 1964. "Two men in suits and hats – seemingly from another time – stand in the monument behind Tessa, looking down at her; in motion, she is actively moving into a future," observes O'Brien, who finds the picture "hugely evocative."
Intimate Portraits and Lasting Legacies
Nolan's work extends beyond simple family snapshots. A photograph of her daughter Celia gazing into the water at Paddy's River (c. 1965) is described by O'Brien as reminiscent of the mythological Narcissus, a subject her uncle Arthur Boyd frequently painted. Yet, here, Celia appears captivated more by the reflected landscape than her own image, a theme that echoes in her ongoing outdoor painting practice.
The images also document other key figures, such as Hermia Boyd (née Lloyd Jones), who married Arthur's brother David. Nolan's photos capture Hermia's focused approach to decorating pots in her London studio. The circle of artistic friends is also present, with scenes from the south of France home of Australian painter Sam Atyeo.
O'Brien argues that Nolan's intimate portraits are "both loving and clear-eyed," reflecting young women forming their identities as creatives at a time when female artists were frequently marginalised. Her photographs, the curator suggests, act as a powerful "vote of confidence" for the subjects. The legacy continues: Alice's daughter, Kitty, is now a ceramicist with works also featured in the Bundanon exhibition.
Through these recovered frames, 'The Hidden Line' successfully reclaims a vital chapter of Australian art history, celebrating the matriarchs and daughters whose talents flourished within, and beyond, the shadow of a famous artistic name.
