Alison Stirling Duff

Alison Stirling Duff (married name Salter, 7 July 1914 – 19 March 2000) was a New Zealand sculptor, potter and teacher.

Family Born in Invercargill in 1914, she was the daughter of Jessie Barclay and Oliver Duff, writer and foundation editor of the New Zealand Listener. Alison was also the aunt of New Zealand novelist Alan Duff.

Education Duff studied at the University of Canterbury School of Art under Francis Shurrock. She went on to study sculpture at East Sydney Technical College, graduating in 1938.

Teaching career Duff taught in Hobart for seven years as the head of the Sculpture Department at Hobart Technical College before moving to Sydney, where she taught at Sydney Technical College for a further five. She often created works in pairs, inspired by the way nature forms complementary relationships.

By the mid 1950s Duff was working full-time on her sculpture. Art historian Anne Kirker writes 'This work is made from cement, a medium that enhances the rugged and tough demeanour of the eminent New Zealander.' A major exhibition of her work from 1944 onwards was held at the New Vision Gallery in 1970.

Death She died in Auckland in 2000.