We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

John Flexmore Mrs Sidney Smith

Image courtesy the sitter's estate

Clarice Emily Morgan Smith (née Wright) was known as Kew to her friends. An accomplished pianist and vocalist, she had her own radio program in India during the 1930s and 40s and performed for royalty and the troops during World Wart II. She married Lieutenant Colonel Sidney Smith OBE, who became superintendent of the South India Railway Company based in Trichinopoly. They migrated to Australia in 1947 from India with their young daughter Shirley. The artist John Flexmore was a family friend during their time in Melbourne and painted this portrait of Kew in 1954.