Ada May Plante: A Post-Impressionist Pioneer
Early Life and Family
- Born: October 4, 1875, in Temuka, New Zealand.
- Her parents, Thomas Crowther Plante and Isabella Guthrie Plante, immigrated from England. Her father was a merchant.
- The family relocated to East Melbourne, Australia, in 1888.
- Plante attended Presbyterian Ladies' College in 1891 and later received formal training at the National Gallery School under Lindsay Bernard Hall and Frederick McCubbin.
Artistic Development and Influences
- Early Impressionist Phase: Plante initially painted in an impressionistic style, drawing inspiration from artists like James Abbott McNeill Whistler.
- Transition to Post-Impressionism: She later embraced the post-impressionist style through encouragement from fellow artists William Frater and Lina Bryans. This transformation occurred while living in an artist's colony at “The Pink Hotel” in Darebin.
- Key Influences: William Frater, Lina Bryans, and the artistic environment of the Melbourne art scene significantly shaped her development.
Career and Exhibitions
- Plante’s first exhibition was with the Victorian Artists Society in 1901.
- In 1902, she studied at Académie Julian in Paris, sharing a studio with Australian artist Cristina Asquith Baker.
- She exhibited work from the academy upon her return to Australia at the Victorian Artists Society.
- Significant Exhibitions: She participated in the First Australian Exhibition of Women's Work (1907), winning prizes for portrait and figure painting; the first exhibition of the Melbourne Contemporary Art Group (1932); and exhibitions with the Contemporary Art Society (1941, 1943).
- Solo Exhibition: Plante had her only solo exhibition at George's Gallery in 1945.
Major Achievements and Recognition
- Founding Member: She was one of the founding exhibitors in the Post-Impressionist Melbourne Contemporary Group, a pivotal moment for modern art in Australia.
- Membership in the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors highlighted her contribution to female artists in the region.
- Critical Acclaim: Plante received praise from Basil Burdett for her post-impressionist work.
- A memorial exhibition was held at the Stanley Coe Gallery following her death in Melbourne on July 3, 1950.
Historical Significance and Legacy
- Contribution to Australian Art: Ada May Plante played a crucial role in introducing and developing post-impressionist techniques within the Australian art landscape.
- Artistic Community: Her practice of sharing living spaces with other artists fostered collaboration and exchange of ideas, enriching the Melbourne art community.
- Plante’s work represents a significant chapter in the history of women artists in Australia, paving the way for future generations.
