Summary

Part two of a three part oral history with Hungarian born artist Klára Donáth-Patay, recorded on 08 April 1999. Klára studied art and painting at university in Hungary, before she was expelled for her political views. She then trained and worked as a costume designer for the many theatres in Budapest. After escaping Hungary in 1956 and immigrating to Australia, Klára worked in a variety of jobs to support her family.

In Australia Klára has continued to create work in her chosen medium of textile art. Much of Klára's work draws upon her Hungarian cultural origins and Bartok's music is a constant source of inspiration for her.

Description of Content

Part two of a three part oral history with Klara Donath-Patay, a Hungarian born artist. Klara discusses her experience escaping from Hungary and settling in Australia. Klara left Hungary with a girlfriend; they travelled from Budapest to a small village on the boarder before crossing to a small Austrian village on the other side. When they arrived in the village Klara met Frank her future husband, who had left Hungary a few hours earlier. They moved from village to village eventually travelling to Vienna. Klara and Frank then immigrated to Australia, and were sent to Bonegilla when they arrived in Melbourne. Frank found a job working with Philips in Adelaide and they were formally married shortly after they moved there. They had a son, Peter, and Klara found part-time work as an illustrator for a weekly women's fashion column and a Department store.

Physical Description

Digital audio tape

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