Teacup ballet
1935; printed 1992
Medium
gelatin silver photograph
Measurements
36.0 × 29.2 cm (image)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased from Admission Funds, 1992
© The estate of Olive Cotton
Gallery location
Special Exhibitions Gallery
Ground Level, NGV International
About this work
Upon purchasing a set of inexpensive cups and saucers to replace the mugs in photographer Max Dupain’s Sydney studio, where she was a studio assistant, Olive Cotton recognised the potential for a dynamic composition. Later describing the handles of the cups as ‘arms akimbo’, Cotton, in her efforts ‘to express a dance theme’, used a spotlight to accentuate shadows, resulting in a ‘ballet-like composition’. Through her deft use of lighting and arrangement of objects, the teacups appear transformed, as if they are ballerinas performing onstage. The image was immediately successful both in Australia and abroad, being included in the London Salon of Photography from September 1935.
Artwork Details
Edition
ed. 21/50
Inscription
inscribed in pencil l.l.: Teacup Ballet 1935/1992
inscribed in pencil l.c.: 21/50
inscribed in pencil l.r.: Olive Cotton
Accession Number
PH199-1992
Department
Australian Photography
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Professor AGL Shaw AO Bequest