Speaker Series: Double Act with Sylvia Martin

A richly illustrated double- biography of Eirene Mort & Nora Kate Weston—where art, design, and queer history converge. Sylvia Martin's Double Act explores the livelong partnership of Eirene Mort and Nora Kate Weston—dynamic artists and 'New Women' who challenged gender convention and gained recognition as professional artists. Drawing on archives and a feminist and queer perspective, Martin crafts a moving, illustrated biography of collaboration, creativity, and a deep and enduring relationship spanning more than sixty years. Eirene Mort (1879–1977) was an Australian artist, art teacher, printmaker, cartoonist, fashion designer and one of several founders of the Society of Arts and Crafts of New South Wales. Nora Kate Weston (1880 –1965) also known as "Chips" Weston, was an Australian cabinet-maker who taught woodcarving, carpentry and leatherwork. She was influential in the arts and crafts movement in Australia. After an early career as an actor, Sylvia Martin obtained a PhD in Women's Studies/Historical and Cultural Studies in 1996 and turned to writing biography where her acting training and skills turned out to be useful.