• Home
• /
• Featured
• /
• Visual Arts
• /
• Celebrating 150 years of Margaret Preston: A bold legacy that still inspires

Margaret Preston (1875 – 1963) is one of Australia’s most iconic and influential artists. A trailblazer in modernist painting, a committed advocate for Aboriginal art and Australian identity, and a fearless innovator in style and form, Preston’s legacy remains vividly alive today—not only in the nation’s galleries, but in the everyday lives of people who encounter her work across a variety of mediums.

From vibrant tea towels to calendars and prints, and large-scale installations, Preston’s art continues to capture imaginations, spark conversations, and inspire new generations. Her artistic voice—bold, innovative, and unapologetically Australian—still feels utterly contemporary.

A living legacy: Preston’s work licensed for new audiences

Thanks to the expertise of Copyright Agency’s Visual Arts Licensing team, Preston’s body of work has found new life far beyond traditional gallery spaces. These commercial partnerships ensure that Margaret’s art continues to be celebrated and shared widely, while also honouring the artist’s estate and copyright.

Recent licensed projects include:

• Blue Island Press, which offers a beautiful range of art prints and calendar featuring Preston’s unmistakable linocuts and woodblocks View collection →

• Third Drawer Down, where Preston’s art has been reimagined in a collection comprising tea towels, cushion covers, and a stunning bridge set, bringing a fresh design lens to her timeless visual language Explore the range →

• Tea-tree and Hakea Petiolaris (1936), one of Preston’s striking lino-cut prints hand-embellished with gouache, now takes pride of place on the ceiling of the Chancellery at Monash University. Installed in the building’s clerestory ceiling as a canopy, the piece creates a breathtaking visual centrepiece that bridges art, architecture and academia. Copyright Agency managed the licensing process, working closely with Monash University, ARM Architecture, and Kane Constructions to ensure a faithful and exceptional reproduction of the original work. Read more →

These initiatives not only extend the visibility of Preston’s art into new and exciting spaces, they also serve as a shining example of how visual arts licensing can ensure artists’ rights are respected and rewarded, even long after their lifetimes.

Looking ahead: Something beautiful is blooming

As we mark this important milestone, the Copyright Agency is proud to continue working alongside Preston’s estate and passionate partners who believe in the value of copyright and the power of art to transcend time.

Stay tuned—a stunning new licensed project is set to be unveiled mid-year to mark the 150th anniversary of Margaret Preston’s birth. We can’t wait to share it with you.

Margaret Preston’s work is a testament to the enduring power of art—and the importance of protecting it. At Copyright Agency, we’re committed to ensuring that the rights of artists, estates, and creators are recognised, respected, and celebrated.