Detail view

Woman and Tent 1946

Title
Woman and Tent 1946
Description
Inscr. '16th July 1946 N'
Description
This painting is based on a report and photograph that appeared on page three of the Melbourne Herald on Tueday 16 July 1946. The story was headed, 'Old Woman who lives in a Tent.'
Description
The report, in full read - About seven months ago Mrs Carroll, an old age pensioner, arrived at Box Hill with her few belongings - including a small tent - under her arms. She had not been able to find a room suitable to her means. So she chose a site, near Box Hill cemetery, and helped by neighbours pitched her tent there. Mrs Carroll has lived there ever since, undeterred by frequent rain and occasional flooding in the paddock. The tent is pitifully inadequate to deal with the elements. Bagging acts as a fly and covers approximately three-quarters of the tent's length of 6 ft odd. The site is at the foot of a moderately steep hill, and close to the edge of a small creek. The ground around the tent has been kept scrupulously clean, but recent rains have made it soft and muddy. The hill up the a house facing Middleborough Road is treacherously slippery, but Mrs Carroll struggles up and down at least six times a day. She gets water there and help with her cooking. Despite her age, Mrs Carroll does her own shopping nearly a mile away. Details of Mrs Carroll's tent-life have been gathered from various people in the district. Mrs Carroll would not tell because she does not like casual questioners. In fact, in the picture above she is also saying 'shoo' to the photographer. Each fortnight Mrs Carroll subtracted a sum from her pension and added it to a few pounds already saved. Recently she paid a deposit on the land where she pitched her tent, and today that land is practically paid for. She has arranged for the erection of a sleep-out, which she expects to occupy in a few weeks. Many people have been appalled to think that an old-age pensioner has been living in such conditions but Mrs Carroll asks for neither sympathy nor charity.' I practically own this land, and my sleep-out will be ready soon. I'm not complaining' she said.
Creator
Nolan, Sidney
Subject
Box Hill
Subject
pensioners
Format
text/html
Format
image/jpeg
Format
Ripolin on board 91.1 x 122 cm
Managed by
IsFormatOf item held at the Nolan Gallery
Collection or series
IsPartOf the Nolan Gallery's Foundation Collection
Date or place
1946
Rights
Reproduction rights owned by the Nolan Gallery.
Permalink

Share this: