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May Gibbs: Celebrating 100 Years

May Gibbs: Celebrating 100 Years

In December 2016 we celebrate 100 years since the publication of Gumnut Babies and Gum-Blossom Babies, the first of May Gibbs’ much-loved bush baby books. Two years later, with the publication of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie: Their Adventures Wonderful, Gibbs would become one of Australia’s most successful children’s book authors and illustrators.

PAST EXHIBITIONExhibition
Saturday 3 December 2016 to Sunday 26 February 2017
Admission: Free

Location

May Gibbs: Celebrating 100 Years

In December 2016 we celebrate 100 years since the publication of Gumnut Babies and Gum-Blossom Babies, the first of May Gibbs’ much-loved bush baby books. Two years later, with the publication of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie: Their Adventures Wonderful, Gibbs would become one of Australia’s most successful children’s book authors and illustrators. An early environmentalist, she drew her inspiration from her childhood spent visiting the bush south of Perth and later, from her large garden in Sydney’s Neutral Bay and bushwalks in the Blue Mountains. She urged her readers to ‘be kind to bush creatures’.

This display celebrates (Cecilia) May Gibbs’ life and work with a selection of original and reproduction artwork from her children’s books and other work.

Level 1 Macquaire Street building until 26 February 2017 and in the AMAZE Gallery until 29 January 2017.

A painting of warm brown, yellow and orange tones depicts a middle-aged caucasian woman with short brow hair looking directly at the viewer.
Souriante, self-portrait
1923
May Gibbs
Digital ID: 
a5825001
View collection item detail
A watercolour painting of little babies with big, blue eyes appearing to grow out of the centre of Flannel flowers
Cover illustration for Flannel Flowers and other Bush Babies
1917
May Gibbs
Digital ID: 
a5243003
View collection item detail
A hand drawn illustration of little people with gumnut hats clinging onto a gum leaf.
Illustration for Gum-Nut Babies
1916
May Gibbs
Digital ID: 
a1705002
View collection item detail
A hand drawn illustration of a stork, holding two babies, having delivered another baby to a Kookaburra
Public health poster
1918
May Gibbs
Digital ID: 
a1528140
View collection item detail

May Gibbs Archive, State Library of NSW © The Northcott Society and Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Gumnut Babies

Read the May Gibbs classic Gumnut Babies

Gum-Blossom Babies

Read the May Gibbs classic Gum-Blossom Babies

The story of May Gibbs

May Gibbs, author, illustrator and cartoonist, has captured the hearts and imaginations of generations of Australians with her lovable bush characters and fairytale landscapes.

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