Australian Women Artists

The podcast

Ep. 37 Daphne Mayo and Vida Lahey -

A conversation with Samantha Littley QAGOMA

Samantha Littley is a distinguished Australian art curator who, for the last 6 years has been the Curator of Australian Art at the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. With a diverse background spanning major cultural institutions including the Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia, and Australian National University, Samantha brings extensive expertise to contemporary and historical Australian art and is the curator of the magnificent ‘Under a Modern Sun: Art in Queensland 1930s–1950s’ at the Queensland Art Gallery from 16 August 2025.

Vida Lahey and Daphne Mayo feature in the exhibition.

Vida Lahey was a pioneering Australian artist whose work and advocacy played a formative role in Queensland’s cultural development. Known for her vibrant still lifes, sensitive landscapes, and iconic painting "Monday Morning”.

Daphne Mayo MBE was known for her work in sculpture, particularly the tympanum of Brisbane City Hall and the Women's War Memorial in ANZAC Square. She’s one of Australia's most significant C20th sculptors at a time when the field was overwhelmingly dominated by men. She created some of Brisbane's most iconic public monuments but also challenged societal expectations.

Their work together in advocating for arts and artists in Qld is legendary.

Head to the link in my bio for the episode

Images

1. DM (2nd from right) Life study class, Royal Acad of Arts London 1923

2. Working on Bris City Hall Tympanum 1930

3. Working on Qld’s Women’s War Memorial 1932

4. Fat man 1940 bronze 29 x 9.8 x 15

5. VL Monday morning 1912 oil on canvas 153 x 122.7

6. Sultry noon (Central Station Brisbane) 1931 oil on canvas on plywood 44.7x49.2

7. Building the bridge 1931 watercolour & gouache over pencil on wove paper on cardboard 25.3 x 30.3

8. Art and nature 1934 watercolour 52.5 x 60.6 (includes the relief by DM)

9. A mixed bunch 1936 watercolour on cream wove paper 40 x 40