Collection Details

Name/TitleMothers’ Memories Others’ Memories

About this objectThis artwork is part of a series of two enamelled post-card installations created by Vivienne Binns during her residency in Blacktown between 1979 to 1981. 'Mothers' Memories, Others' Memories' was part of the Blacktown Community Project, 'Mothers' memories, others' memories', which was about women's lives and creative activity. The other version of the artwork was purchased by the National Gallery of Australia, while the other was presented by the artist to the then Blacktown Municipal Council as a gift to the people of Blacktown.

From 1979 to 1981, Vivienne worked with local mothers and wives in Blacktown on a participation project that is widely considered to be one of the first community engaged art projects in Australia.

The project focused on the lives of women, through collecting memorabilia, anecdotes and items of handicraft made by women. Each postcard is a biographical picture of the person that each participant worked with, or of their own life.

They were created at Blacktown Arts and Crafts Group, in Blacktown Showground, by screen-printing photographic images and personal inscriptions on the front and back of a steel plate, which was then enamelled. The postcards are collectively displayed on a readymade postcard rack.

MakerBinns, Vivienne

Maker RoleArtist

Date Made1980

Medium and MaterialsScreenprint ink on enamelled steel

Place MadeAustralia

Inscription and MarksSigned and dated top centre black enamel on white enamel script 'V. BINNS / 1980'

TechniquePrinted

Measurementsoverall 90.4 h x 27 w x 27 d cm

Named CollectionBlacktown City Art Collection

Credit Line© Vivienne Binns
Acquired 1981, Blacktown Municipal Council
through gift of the artist
Photo: silversalt Photography

Object TypeMixed media

Object numberBCC BNS 001