JOAN LINDSAY – author of Picnic at Hanging Rock
1896 – 1984.
Other major works –
Through Darkest Pondelayo (Serena Livingstone Stanley)
Time Without Clocks
Facts Soft and Hard
Syd Sixpence
Joan Lindsay (nee à Beckett Weigall) had her formal education at Clyde Girls School when it was first located in East St. Kilda. Later, she studied at the National Gallery School of Art in Melbourne, intending to become a professional artist.
Following some early pennings that were favourably accepted and printed, and her marriage to respected Australian artist Daryl Lindsay on Saint Valentine's Day in 1922 – Lady Lindsay turned her full attention to writing.
Beginning with a comical novel written under the pseudonym Serena Livingstone Stanley, her works often presented – directly or indirectly – colourful images of the people and places in her life. Lindsay's skills and eye as a visual artist clearly permeate her writings which often convey richly detailed impressions of environment and atmosphere.
Picnic at Hanging Rock is her best known work, and was made made into a feature film by producers Patricia Lovell, Hal and Jim McElroy and director Peter Weir in 1975.
Mulberry Hill – her home on the Mornington Penninsula where she wrote the story – was bequeathed to the National Trust of Australia (Victoria). It is now open to the public as a house museum.
INTERVIEW CLIPS (Quicktime Movie Files) –
Joan Lindsay was interviewed at Mulberry Hill in 1974, as part of a series of archival interviews with Australian Artists commissioned by the Arts Council of Australia. The following clips provide an insight into the writing and essence of
Picnic at Hanging Rock.
ABOUT TIME (3.9 MB) &
CLOCK-STOPPING (2.9 MB)Lady Lindsay speaks of her interest in Time (a recurring element in her works) – and a peculiar talent she possesses.
THE MYSTERY (6.1 MB)
Lady Lindsay is asked about the secret of the mystery in
Picnic at Hanging Rock.
WRITING PICNIC (6.4 MB) &
RIPPLES (2.3 MB)
Lady Lindsay describes the process of writing the story; its structure and intent.
Excerpts from The Writers: Archival Film Series II – Joan Lindsay, presented with permission from the Arts Council of Australia.
© Copyright 1974, Arts Council of Australia. Aside from individual desktop viewing by website visitors, these movie clips may not be further copied, used, sold or distributed without the permission of the copyright owner.
