Protected: Mirka Mora

MIRKA MORA (1928 – 2018)
Artist, Cultural Figure, Bohemian Icon

“Every time you show your work, you really show your soul.” [1]— Mirka Mora

Mirka Mora was one of Melbourne’s most beloved artists and cultural figures. A prolific multimedia artist, her joie de vivre, vivid imagination, and boundless creativity infused Melbourne’s art scene, streets, and broader culture with life.

Mirka played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary art in Australia. Her whimsical and dreamlike works are celebrated in major collections, including the Heide Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, and the William Mora Gallery.

Mirka believed art should be accessible to everyone. Beyond galleries, Mirka’s artistic touch adorns Melbourne’s streets with striking murals and mosaics, and she was the first artist to paint a Melbourne tram. Her talents extended to soft sculptures, crafting stunning costumes, sets, and masks for ballet and opera performances, further showcasing her versatility and dedication to the arts.

Childhood and Resilience

Born in Paris in 1928 to a Lithuanian Jewish father, Leon Zelik, and a Romanian Jewish mother, Celia Gelbein, Mirka’s worldview was shaped by intense experiences during World War II. At 14, she was arrested with her mother and sisters and imprisoned in the Pithiviers transit camp in Nazi-occupied France. Facing the terrifying threat of deportation to Auschwitz, the family narrowly escaped after Mirka’s father forged a letter securing their release. Forced into hiding in the French countryside for the remainder of the war, these challenging experiences profoundly impacted Mirka’s outlook on life.

Mirka’s vibrant, dreamlike worlds filled with whimsical characters became a way to reclaim light, beauty and joy from the darkness she had survived— a bold declaration of her unbreakable spirit.

Arrival in Melbourne and Flourishing Art Career

After the war, Mirka met Georges Mora, a French resistance fighter, in Paris. They married in 1947 and moved to Melbourne in 1951 with their young son, Philippe. Initially working as a self-taught dressmaker, Mirka soon immersed herself in art, exploring everything from drawing and painting to sculpture, mosaics, embroidery, and doll-making.

Mirka and Georges settled at 9 Collins Street, which became the heart of Melbourne’s bohemian scene. In 1954, they opened Mirka Café, a vibrant gathering spot for the Contemporary Art Society, artists, actors, musicians, and art lovers from around the world. They later established the European-style Balzac restaurant in East Melbourne and the iconic Guy Grossi’s Mirka at Tolarno Hotel in St Kilda, which Mirka decorated with murals, cementing their influence in Melbourne’s cultural landscape.

Mirka’s extended her artistic reach to Melbourne’s public spaces, with striking mosaics adorning Flinders Street Station and a seat on the St Kilda foreshore and a vibrant mural in Acland Street St Kilda.

Pioneering Soft Sculpture and Challenging Art Norms

After separating from Georges in the 1970s, Mirka developed a distinctive art style combining fabric and paint in her soft sculptures and embroideries. At a time when soft sculpture was often dismissed by art critics as “feminine” and “crafty,” Mirka’s work challenged stereotypes and shifted perceptions, showing that textiles are just as significant as any other art form. Her innovative approach paved the way for other textile artists to gain recognition from galleries and art critics.

Later Years and Lasting Legacy

In 2016, Mirka’s unstoppable creativity led to a memorable collaboration with Australian fashion label Gorman. In her later years, Mirka remained a beloved icon, conducting workshops in painting, soft sculpture, and mosaics, and sharing her unique approach with countless Australians and art enthusiasts worldwide.

In her 70’s Mirka offered glimpses into her extraordinary life through her autobiographies, Wicked but Virtuous (2000) and Love and Clutter (2003).

Mirka passed away in 2018 at the age of 90 and was the first female artist to receive a Victorian State Memorial.

Mirka Mora’s six-decade-long artistic legacy continues to captivate, inspire, and enrich Melbourne’s cultural fabric.

Commemoration:

A vibrant mural honouring Mirka Mora adorns 77 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. This striking artwork by local muralist Tom Cerdan depicts Mora as both a young and older woman. Commissioned by the Fitzroy Street Business Association (FSBA) and funded through a Port Phillip Council Love My Place grant, the mural has become a notable landmark.

In 2001, Mirka Lane in St Kilda was named in her honour.

Explore:
“Mirka’s St Kilda,” a walking tour developed by the City of Port Phillip and the Jewish Museum of Australia, celebrates Mirka Mora’s life and art. Walks in Port Phillip – MIRKA’S ST KILDA

Discover:
More trailblazing women of Port Phillip through “The Women and Places of HerStory,” a project by the City of Port Phillip that highlights the inspiring contributions of women in the area. The Women and Places of HerStory – City of Port Phillip

Further Resources:

Articles

Feagins, L. (2018). The inimitable Mirka Mora. The Design Files.

The Age. (2020). When Mirka Mora brought inspiration and impudence to East Gippsland. The Age.

University of Melbourne. (2020). The woman who stitched her way into art history. Pursuit.

Women on the Move. (n.d.). Short story: Mirka Mora, Melbourne’s most beloved artist. Women on the Move.

Kiddle. (n.d.). Mirka Mora Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

Truffle, L. (September 28, 2018). Mirka’s story. Lesley Truffle.

Audio

ABC. (2018). Interview with Margaret Throsby: Mirka Mora

Books

Mora, M. (2000). Wicked but virtuous. Penguin Books.