The Jewish Museum of Australia, in partnership with William Mora Galleries and supported by Heide Museum of Modern Art, presents MIRKA – an intimate, previously unseen view into the rich and fascinating life of the late Mirka Mora (1928–2018).
A story of survival and migration, interspersed with a generous dose of family, art, food and love, Mirka Mora’s history is a profoundly affecting post-Holocaust Australian Jewish tale which, until now, has not been presented with such depth and scope.
Launching in December 2020, MIRKA will transform the Museum into an immersive ‘Mirka-world’ that reflects the artist’s trademark mischievousness and bohemian spirit, and shares her powerful story in vivid detail – as told through letters, sketchbooks and diaries, and recorded interviews from the Jewish Holocaust Centre archives.
Featuring never-exhibited works from the private collections of the Mora family and Mirka’s studio and archives, alongside pieces from the Mirka for Melbourne collection recently acquired by the Heide Museum of Modern Art, MIRKA will offer a most comprehensive picture of the artist’s life and 70-year-long career.
Director & CEO Jessica Bram: ‘It feels enormously poignant that the Jewish Museum of Australia’s milestone project for 2020 is a celebration of the life and legacy of iconic artist Mirka Mora. Beloved and remembered as much for her extraordinary career and contribution to cosmopolitan Melbourne as for her remarkable joie de vivre, Mirka’s gift was the magic of hope and resilience.’
William Mora: ‘We, the family, are honoured and delighted to be collaborating with the Jewish Museum of Australia to launch MIRKA – a celebration of her life story and art. Melbourne’s enduring love for Mirka and her art is well-known and we believe this exhibition will give new insights into her world. Mirka’s work embodies humanity and hope; her life of art shows her desire to embrace diversity and to be enriched by our differences.’
A joyful and optimistic honouring of a truly miraculous and marvellous life, MIRKA promises the most intimately detailed portrait of this cherished icon of Australian culture.
Image: Mirka Mora, In the Garden of Dreams, 1975-81, Australia, Private Collection, Melbourne.
