The cockatoo

The Gallery’s Trustees purchased this work in 1895 from the Society of Artists’ inaugural exhibition, along with Emily Meston’s 'Study of grapes'. Both were included in the prestigious Australian art exhibition held at London’s Grafton Galleries in 1898. 'The cockatoo’s' beautifully painted spray of creamy white plumage shows Margaret Fleming’s mastery of contrasting tonal effects, with the bright, feathered body set within a dimly lit interior.

Born in Nowra and schooled briefly in Sydney under Julian Ashton, Fleming achieved a respectable local reputation as a still-life painter, although very little is known about the artist herself.