Interview with Doreen Blumhardt

Oral history interview with Doreen Blumhardt, born 1914 in Whangarei. Details family background - discusses German heritage. Talks about the family farm at Whareora - describes family home. Talks about daily life on the farm. Discusses her upbringing - talks about the value of good education and learning music. Mentions growing up in a bilingual environment. Talks about the family moving to Whangarei during the Depression - describes their house. Details schooling - mentions Director of the Whangarei High School Orchestra Mr Dunn. Discusses moving to Christchurch to live and work with her aunt Eleanore Blumhardt. Mentions attending Cantebury College School of Art - recalls her time there. Mentions Brian Brake, Cecil Kelly, Isley James, Kitty Driver, Lance Macaskill, Walter Harris, Sophie Canning and Dr Clarence Beeby. Talks about attending Christchurch Teachers College - describes first experiences teaching. Refers to own creative work completed during this tertiary study - discusses her love of weaving and first experiences using clay - mentions Luke Adams.

Refers to teaching positions as Art Teacher in Nelson and Head of Art at Christchurch Teachers' College. Discusses treatment of family during World War II - mentions brother losing his job and their father's internment. Talks about joining the Air Force WAF's. Mentions Dame Ngaio Marsh. Refers to appointment as National Advisor in Arts and Crafts - discusses what this role entailed. Mentions her offices at Waterloo School. Discusses Beeby's vision for New Zealand art education - mentions Walter Harris and Phillip Smithells. Discusses overseas travel - talks about attending Brighton College of Arts and touring local schools with Ronald Horton, and attending teachers' conferences in Mannheim and Paris. Discusses becoming Head of the Art Department at Wellington College of Education upon her return. Discusses the foundation of the College's art collection - mentions John Drawbridge, Brian Carmody, John Ritson, Cliff Whiting, Laughton and Jenny Patrick. Talks about playing in the 3YA Orchestra.

Discusses evolution of New Zealand pottery - talks about 'New Zealand Potters Magazine' - mentions Leigh Thompson, Bernard Leach, Peter Stitchbury, and Helen Mason. Discusses pottery applications and techniques. Discusses building and operation of the kiln on Harbour View Road, Wellington - mentions Roy Cowan, Freda Anderson, and David Carson-Parker. Details trip to Japan -discusses Japanese pottery. Talks about becoming Vice President of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts - discusses the Academy's exhibitions. Details her involvement in the publishing of 'New Zealand Potters, Their Works, Their Words'. Talks about the honours and awards she has received over the years. Discusses her accomplishments in teaching. Talks about the impact of religion on her life.

Oral history video recording with Doreen Blumhardt at her home in Wellington. Talks about her pottery studio - details the layout and the allocation of work spaces. Discusses the applications and techniques of the pottery process - talks about plaster moulds, wax resist work, and the use of iron oxide. Shows pieces made for the 2004 New Zealand Festival of the Arts. Discusses her inspirations and influences. Details specific works of art within her collection.

Access Contact - See Oral History Librarian

Interviewer(s) - Pip Oldham

Accompanying material - Biographical information relating to Doreen Blumhardt; Biographical chronology of Doreen Blumhardt; Curriculum Vitae of Doreen Blumhardt; Copies of investiture invitation, election as Fellow to the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, and a citation of Doreen Blumhardt for the graduation ceremony, 1st May 1991, Victoria University of Wellington; list of photographs held on Disc 1 and 2; Summary of video recordings OHV-0998 - OHV-1001.

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014173 OHC- 014138, OHC-014139, OHC-014140, OHC-014141, OHC-014142, OHC-014143

Quantity: 7 C60 cassette(s). 4 videocassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 14 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 interview(s). 5.12 Hours and minutes Duration.

Physical Description: Textual files - Microsoft word

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5067, OHDL-001279.

Search dates: 1914 - 2004

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Both printed and digital versions of the abstract are available

Additional copy held at The Dowse, Lower Hutt.