Frances (Budden) Phoenix

Frances Phoenix (Budden), 'Kunda', 1976, crochet doily and zip
Image courtesy of the estate of the artist and Sally Cantrill.

Bio

Frances (Budden) Phoenix (1950–2017) was a Sydney-born, Adelaide-based artist, known predominantly as a printmaker and craftworker, as well as a leading figure in the development of feminist prints, posters and needlework in Australia. Phoenix was a tenacious and proud contributor to the country's feminist and lesbian art histories. Kunda (1975) repurposes a typical doily, a domestic staple at the time, with the artist utilising exaggerated folding and crochet to suggest a vulval icon. She established the Women's Domestic Needlework Group in 1976 alongside Joan Grounds, Bernadette Krone, Kathy Letray, Patricia McDonald, Marie McMahon, Noela Taylor and Loretta Vieceli. The group intended to grow and promote women’s domestic needlework within Australia. Phoenix went on to make further and considerable contributions to both Australian and international feminist art histories: she participated in both Sydney’s and Adelaide’s Women’s Art Movements (WAM); collaborated on Judy Chicago’s landmark feminist artwork The Dinner Party (1974–79); and led collective and community-based art initiatives. The artist's works and poster designs are held in various private and public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; South Australian State Archives, Adelaide, among others.