After suddenly being widowed tin 1951 when only in her mid-twenties, Roberta’s colleague Phyllis Shillito, Head of the Design School, East Sydney Technical Collage, described her recovery as “phoenix-like”.
The mystique of this myth was the spark, that over many years, influenced the creation of the Phoenix Series. The phoenix became a symbol and a signature motif of much of Roberta’s work
The mood of the series meshes spirituality, myth and landscape. Stylistically, the direction moves further toward stronger colour and texture.
The Spiritual in Roberta’s Art and Life
Roberta’s life-long search for spiritual truth and fulfillment, has given her great comfort and significance. Furthermore, this aspect of her life has also infused her art with meaning, going beyond the merely visual. A prize such as the Blake has been an appropriate stage through which she has been able to exhibit the instrumental in her work, relevant to the spiritual and mystical of life. Below-right is just one example of her Phoenix series, a subject that returns throughout her life expressing her need for strength. Phoenix VII, 1994, further explores the theme inspired by her many, profound experiences of having to raise her spirit and continue her life’s work, following the loss of those closest to her; not only parents and friends but two husbands as a young woman. The expressive outlet of her art’s practice has been part of the grieving, as well as part of the recovery. Like the Phoenix, Roberta continues to rise above all that has been thrown at her, and so often, never forgetting to care for those around her.
