Beach Patterns

Two archetypal beach scenes.

So much physicality. So much manliness. A sporty, healthy, idealised and stylised outdoor scene from the 1940s.

| Charles Meere, Australian Beach Pattern, 1940 |

Meer’s student and partner, Freda Robertshaw, goes on to create a more ladylike family beach scene.  At one with nature. Although exhibiting the motherly cautiousness toward an unknown sea.

| Freda Robertshaw, Australian Beach Scene, 1940 |

Contemporary scenes aren’t quite as idealised but I was pleased to experience my first ever Surf Life Saving Carnival this summer.

Julia Ritson