Mem Fox AM (b. 1946), author, is best-known for her award-winning book Possum Magic, which has sold over five million copies since it was first published in 1983, more than any other Australian children's book. Born in Melbourne, Fox grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa with her missionary parents. She went to drama school in London and then moved to Adelaide aged 23. After having her daughter Chloë, she studied children’s literature at Flinders University, where she wrote Possum Magic, with illustrations by Julie Vivas. Rejected by nine publishers over five years, it was finally accepted by Omnibus Books. During her career Fox has written over 40 children's books, including Where is the Green Sheep? and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. Her books have been translated into 21 languages, and many have been international bestsellers. For 24 years Fox was Associate Professor of Literary Studies at Flinders University and since 1996 she has been an international literacy consultant.
Peter Brew-Bevan's portrait of Fox was based on her passion for conservation and her love of the Australian landscape and wildlife, as captured in Possum Magic. 'I created a stylised bush environment within the studio. The inclusion of the doors in this set is a "Narnia-esque" nod, like a symbolic doorway into the fabulously whimsical and passionately creative mind of Mem.'
Purchased with funds provided by Peronelle Windeyer 2021
© Peter Brew-Bevan
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