Blaze e-catalogue - Catalog - Page 26
Phyllis
Shillito
1895-1980
Pioneer of design
education
In a 25 year career with the NSW Department
of Technical Education, Phyllis Shillito trained
generations of students in fashion, industrial
and interior design. Many went on to have
high profile design-related careers in Australia
and overseas.
“Naturally gifted out of the
common and very well trained
… she has a genius for imparting
her knowledge that commends
itself to all who have witnessed
her work in the classroom.”
J. S. Macdonald, Director, (National) Art Gallery of NSW,
‘Testimonial letter for P. Shillito’, 30 April 1935 in Christopher Kent,
Phyllis Shillito: A review, Thesis, University of Technology Sydney,
1995, pp. 14–5
In 1925, UK-trained Shillito was appointed
Teacher of Art at East Sydney Technical College,
later the National Art School. In 1933 she
founded a School of Applied Art and Industrial
Design. By the 1940s, Shillito was Head of the
Design School and had established the first
Design Diploma in Australia. In 1948, Shillito
became Head Teacher of Art, and in 1952,
Senior Lecturer in Art. In the late 1950s,
she played an instrumental role developing the
College’s Cell Block Theatre. Actor Katharine
Hepburn and dancer, Robert Helpmann, lent
their support whilst in Sydney, and in 1958,
the Theatre was opened.
Shillito retired in 1960, aged 65. In 1962,
she opened the Shillito Design School, which
operated until her death in 1980.
Above left
Phyllis Shillito
National Art School Staff c.1933 (detail)
Photographer unknown, National Art School
Archive and Collection
education
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