CIRCA 1880

John Baird (1843 - 1894), a postal worker and self-taught Sydney artist, who began carving kerosene shale after the untimely death of his seven year old son in 1880. Lacking a portrait or drawing of his son, Baird endeavoured to make a carved portrait of his own. It is certain that Baird considered materials such as wood and clay, yet finally settled on shale, which was inexpensive and easy to come by at the time. Whilst coal, a similar material to shale, was used in 19th century, England to create ornaments, the use of shale for such purposes is very unusual. Baird's works were generally small plaques, which were easy to fashion and usually depicted members of his family, as well as religious, political, sporting figures and internationally known identities