Georges River Council is inviting the community to help locate original artworks by the local artist and historian Daphne Kingston (1928–2019).
We also encourage people to share any stories or memories about her life and work for an upcoming Hurstville Museum & Gallery exhibition.
Daphne Kingston was a well‑known figure in the St George area. She lived in Penshurst and taught at the St George Creative Art and Craft Centre. She was also a member of the Hurstville and Kogarah Historical Societies, along with the National Trust and the Historic Houses Trust.
From the 1970s to the 2000s, she painted many scenes of the Georges River. She also captured the architecture and changing character of Sydney's suburbs.
Hurstville Museum & Gallery has a large collection of Kingston's paintings, photographs, and objects. Staff believe many artworks could still be in private collections. This includes paintings made from photographic negatives stored in the Museum's archive.
Residents with a Kingston painting, sketch, or photograph whether inherited, bought, or found are encouraged to come forward. Community members are also encouraged to share personal stories. This can include memories of meeting Daphne, learning from her, or seeing her work locally.
Kingston's paintings, photographs and stories of her will be celebrated in a Hurstville Museum & Gallery exhibition that will open in December this year.
Georges River Council Mayor Elise Borg said, "Daphne Kingston captured the everyday life and heritage of our local suburbs in a way that few artists have."
"When people come forward with personal collections and stories, it strengthens how we tell our local history," Mayor Borg said.
"I proudly display a Kingston artwork in my office, and I'm always reminded of her deep connection to our area."
