Balloons

A mother and child sit perched on a stone or concrete wall, their legs dangling freely. The wall's surface is divided by five window-like squares that stretch across it from left to right. Above them, the sky is muted and dark, suggesting either nighttime or an overcast day. Ten white orbs punctuate the sky, five of which are attached to long, delicate strings in the top right corner. The woman clutches these strings close to her chest while the breeze seems to carry them gently across the sky. With her other arm, she holds the child tightly by the waist. Both figures tilt their heads upward, gazing in wonder. The woman’s mouth is slightly open in awe, and the child leans forward eagerly, their eyes fixed on the floating balloons above, filled with anticipation.

The mother and child are dressed in 1920s fashion, with short-cropped hair framing their faces. The woman’s dress features a star pattern, while the child wears a floral design. Both wear dainty slip-on shoes as they sit high on the wall, captivated by the sight in the sky.

Childhood was a recurring theme in the work of Ethel Spowers, an Australian artist known for her linocuts. Fairy tales and nursery rhymes often inspired her. Her prints frequently depicted children at rest or play, imbued with a sense of storytelling. 

This charming drawing is featured in our Desk Calendar, which is already sold out. But you can still grab the last pieces of our Monthly Calendars, here :)

P.S. From ancient Indigenous traditions to contemporary innovations, here are 5 Australian artists everyone should know.