The Welsh Pixie by Dr Trish Milne

A young Rhona Olive Harris travelled with her family from Wales in 1920. She was 16. Because of the lively games she played with the children on the voyage, other passengers called her the Welsh Pixie. She subsequently changed her name to Pixie O. Harris, later changing it to Pixie O’Harris.

Her stories were staple reading for children growing up in the 1920s to the 1980s. Walter McVitty wrote, ‘the urbane sophistication of the modern picture book may make the fairy books of Pixie O’Harris seem naive and ingenuous, yet they are an affirmation of faith in the unsullied innocence of childhood, of a belief in the positive values and dedication to the worth of fantasy in a world increasingly prosaic.’ (McVitty, Walter In Pixie O’Harris ‘Was it Yesterday?’ Rigby Adelaide, 1983, p5).

From a child, Pixie O’Harris had a dream that she would one day write and illustrate books for children. This was fulfilled in 1925 when Rigby published the ‘Pixie O’Harris Fairy Book’. All her books were so popular that some, like ‘Pearl Pinkie and Sea Greenie’, were reprinted over a period of 40 years. This was the start of an illustrious career where through her writing, illustrations, poetry, plays and murals, Pixie delighted and brightened the lives of children for six decades. When she died in 1991 she was recognised as one of the most loved authors and illustrators of fantasy in Australia in the first half of the 20th century. She was a founding member of the Children’s Book Council of Australia and awarded an MBE for her services to children’s literature. Every year the Pixie O’Harris Award is given by the Australian Publishers Association in recognition of her distinguished and dedicated service to the development and reputation of children’s books.

Pixie’s other dream was to brighten the walls of children’s hospitals, schools and other institutions with her little animals, birds, toys and fairy people. Gradually she achieved this in some 50 institutions, but sadly all have since been painted over, except those painted on panels which could be removed for restoration work. Recently the works created for Taree Hospital have been rediscovered and restored. They are now part of an exhibition at the Taree Regional Gallery attracting interest from all round Australia.

The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature’s collection relating to Pixie O’Harris is extensive and a treasure trove for researchers. As well as original artwork there are almost 100 books in varying editions both written and/or illustrated by her, as well as some ephemera. Her research file is extensive and includes biographical information, reviews, critical articles, press clippings, correspondence and much more. Her poems and illustrations can also be found in various editions of the NSW School Magazine – of which NCACL has an almost complete run from 1916.

In 1983 Pixie was asked to illustrate a new edition of Kenneth Graeme’s ‘The Wind in the Willows,’ being republished by Rigby. For over 100 years more than 50 different illustrators have adorned the pages of this classic. Her illustrations brought the text alive for a new generation. In 1998 Pixie O’Harris’ family gifted to the Centre all the original artwork for this book. This amazing collection of 96 items in a range of media – including watercolour, inks and pencil – has been fully described and documented by Max Brown, NCACL’s art curator. The collection is available for researchers on the Centre’s website along with the artwork frameworks for all of the other artworks held. The family went a step further and gifted the copyright for all the artwork for ‘The Wind in the Willows.’ This enabled the commissioning of a range of glassware featuring Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger on mugs, glasses and coasters, which raised much needed funds for the Centre.

As well as collecting, NCACL also seeks to promote and celebrate the achievements of Australian authors and illustrators. In September 2014 an event, ‘Meet Pixie O’Harris,’ was held at ALIA House in Canberra. On display was original artwork from NCACL’s own collection, including pieces from ‘The Wind in the Willows’ and some loaned by private collectors. Talks included a discussion of her artwork, its preservation and the recollections of someone to whom, as a child, she was a much loved adopted Aunty. Some 60 people attended, including two of Pixie’s granddaughters.

The comprehensiveness of the Pixie O’Harris collection as a part of the Centre’s overall collection demonstrates the Centre’s commitment to preserving and showcasing the creative output of Australia’s children’s authors and illustrators. This collection is a dynamic one, which grows exponentially as new items are added, and the collection enhanced when gems from the past are donated. In so doing, present day readers and researchers meet and gain a new appreciation for those behind the works themselves.

Dr Trish Milne was a teacher librarian, an academic in the Library and Information Studies Program at the University of Canberra and an Assistant Editor of ‘Reading Time’ in the 1980s. With Belle Alderman she wrote ‘Showcasing Treasures’, the history of NCACL up to 2014. As a volunteer over a number of years, she project managed a range of NCACL’s fundraising activities, including ‘Meet Pixie O’Harris’.

 

See also:
NCACL Catalogue holdings of Pixie O’Harris
O’Harris, Pixie | artwork | books
The forgotten works of Pixie O’Harris : the Manning Hospital Collection of paintings by Pixie and Olaf Harris
Papers: Pixie O’Harris 1903 – 1991
Available, National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature.
On site access by request
Walter McVitty Publisher’s Archive held in the National Centre
Pixie O’Harris Exhibition images from the then Lu Rees Archives art and book display at ALIA House 17 September 2014
‘Pixie’ lives again in exhibition in CBR CityNews by Helen Musa 16 September 2014

Posted by: NCACL | Published: 06 Oct 2024