Margaret Preston

Margaret Preston by Lesley Harding invites you into the home life of one of Australia’s most bold and influential modern artists, where paint, printmaking and dinner often shared the same table. Loved for her striking depictions of native flowers, Preston was also a generous teacher, a keen cook and a passionate advocate for a modern national culture rooted in everyday domestic life.

Drawing on handwritten recipe books held by the National Gallery of Australia, this richly illustrated biography reveals how her kitchen and garden shaped her art. Expect vivid reproductions of paintings, prints and photographs alongside insights into her techniques and creative pursuits—from pottery and basket weaving to the careful pleasures of flower arranging—without turning her story into a museum piece.

Perfect for readers of Australian art history, creative non-fiction and food-and-art crossovers, as well as anyone drawn to still life, gardens and the textures of daily life.

Add it to your shelf and discover Preston anew.