Pamela Crawford

Pamela Mary Crawford (née Seeman, 1921–5 May 1997) was an Australian artist and stage designer married to the English-born Australian dramatist, James Crawford.

Crawford was involved in the radical art and literary movements of Brisbane's 1940s. She was a member of the Barjai group which published the radical youth art magazine Barjai. This magazine was edited by Barrett Reid and Laurence Collinson and published between 1943 and 1947. Barjai magazine described itself as 'a meeting place for youth'. Crawford was also involved in the establishment of the Miya Studio.

In 1988, she donated a large collection of artworks from the Miya Studio to the University of Queensland.

Early life Pamela Seeman was born in Brisbane in 1921. In 1942, Crawford entered the Central Technical College in George Street, Brisbane, as a full-time student. She had been unable to do so earlier due to a family illness. Once she completed the introductory course, she began studying fashion as theatrical design was not offered. Crawford later transferred into Industrial Drawing under John Appleyard. Crawford was still attending some classes in 1945; however, she left college before she was awarded her diploma.

Career View across Youth Charter Conference. Delegates towards stage. The Barjai magazine was created at Brisbane State High School by Barrett Reid, Laurence Collinson and Cecil Knopke in 1943. Barjai was the Aboriginal word for 'meeting place'. The aim of the Barjai was to allow adolescents to express themselves about experimental art and literature. However, Headmaster Waddle prohibited the newspaper from the school; Reid sold the Barjai on the path outside. An art critic who had visited the exhibition stated that Crawford was one of the most promising artists in the show.

Crawford attended art classes of Caroline Barker and Miss Birkbeck whose studios were in Brisbane. However, these teachers were not progressive artists of the 1950s.

The couple settled on Tamborine Mountain after buying several acres of land. The association was founded in 1950 with the mission to preserve historical sites around Queensland, Northern New South Wales, France and Great Britain. One of the historical sites that the association worked towards saving was Meigunyah house, Brisbane, built in 1886.

In 1988, Crawford donated a series of artworks (including around fifty of her own works) from the Miya Studio to the University of Queensland.