Lady Mary Elizabeth Nolan (; 9 November 1926–6 April 2016) was an Australian ceramicist, painter and photographer. She is remembered for her marriage to Sidney Nolan and her work preserving his work and estate.

Biography

Early life and first marriage

Mary Nolan was born in 1926 to father Merric Boyd, a potter, and mother Dorris Boyd (), a painter. The Boyd family were known for their connection to the arts, and her siblings, Lucy,

Arthur Arthur is a common male given name of Brythonic origin. Its popularity derives from it being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur. The etymology is disputed. It may derive from the Celtic ''Artos'' meaning “Bear”. Another theory, more wi ...

, Guy and

David David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

, all went on to become artists. Mary grew up at the Boyds' "Open Country" home in Murrumbeena, then a rural suburb on the outskirts of

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

. From an early age, Mary was taught painting and potting, though her formal education ended at age 14 when she left school. In 1944, the 18-year-old Mary married painter

John Perceval John de Burgh Perceval AO (1 February 1923 – 15 October 2000) was a well-known Australian artist. Perceval was the last surviving member of a group known as the Angry Penguins who redefined Australian art in the 1940s. Other members include ...

, with Sidney Nolan as a witness. The marriage produced four children and saw her eventually depart from painting and ceramics. In the 1950s, Perceval produced

studio pottery Studio pottery is pottery made by professional and amateur artists or artisans working alone or in small groups, making unique items or short runs. Typically, all stages of manufacture are carried out by the artists themselves.Emmanuel Cooper, ...

to earn money, and had started to gain critical attention as a painter. At this time, Mary began a friendship with

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

and Sunday Reed. In 1963 the family moved to

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

, settling in

Highgate Highgate ( ) is a suburban area of north London at the northeastern corner of Hampstead Heath, north-northwest of Charing Cross. Highgate is one of the most expensive London suburbs in which to live. It has two active conservation organisat ...

, and became part of a group of Australian artists living in the city. The family moved back to Australia in 1965 where Perceval undertook a fellowship at Canberra's

Australian National University The Australian National University (ANU) is a public research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies an ...

. The couple's relationship suffered due to Perceval's alcoholism and psychiatric issues, and their marriage ended in the early 1970s. Grave of Sidney Nolan in Highgate Cemetery

Grave of Sidney Nolan in Highgate Cemetery

Life with Sidney Nolan

Mary moved back to London, living with her daughter Alice, and in 1975 relocated to a

Herefordshire Herefordshire () is a county in the West Midlands of England, governed by Herefordshire Council. It is bordered by Shropshire to the north, Worcestershire to the east, Gloucestershire to the south-east, and the Welsh counties of Monmouthsh ...

farmhouse,"The Ruthland", on the edge of

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...

. She began a relationship, possibly romantic, with Sidney Nolan during the 1970s while his wife

Cynthia Cynthia is a feminine given name of Greek origin: , , "from Mount Cynthus" on Delos island. The name has been in use in the Anglosphere since the 1600s. There are various spellings for this name, and it can be abbreviated to Cindy, Cyndi, Cyndy, ...

was still alive. She had known Sidney from Australia and was aware of his previous relationships, including with Sunday Reed. Following Cynthia's suicide in 1976, Mary provided comfort to Sidney. The couple married in London in 1978 with her brother and sister-in-law Arthur and Yvonne as witnesses.

Death

Mary died on 6th April 2016 and she was buried with Sidney on the eastern side of

Highgate Cemetery Highgate Cemetery is a place of burial in north London, England. There are approximately 170,000 people buried in around 53,000 graves across the West and East Cemeteries. Highgate Cemetery is notable both for some of the people buried there as ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nolan, Mary 20th-century Australian women artists Artists from Melbourne 1926 births 2016 deaths Burials at Highgate Cemetery Australian potters Australian photographers People from Murrumbeena, Victoria Australian emigrants to England