2018-09-05
Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) — Mirka Mora has left us aged 90. She is survived by her partner, Ross; her three sons, Philippe, William and Tiriel; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her sisters, Marcelle and Salomé. I extend my condolences to them and to her many dear friends.
Mirka changed the cultural life of Melbourne, from the salon and soirees she established with her husband, Georges, in the 1950s to Mirka Café, The Balzac and Tolarno in St Kilda.
She was a world-renowned artist whose work is unique and accessible, and she inspired so many other artists and lovers of art, but she was much more than an artist. Mirka touched everyone who was lucky to meet her or to know her, and it was always a pleasure to spend time with her. Mirka's son, Philippe, described her as a humanitarian who made it a thing in her life to help anyone who needed help. She was famous for her joie de vivre, and he said that was not a cliché with regard to her but that she also had a serious side. He said her art was based on the study of archetypes and medieval art, from which she derived the iconic mythical creatures that featured in much of her work. Her library is an encyclopaedia of art and philosophy. Mirka's dear friend Serge Thomann described Mirka as like his 'other mum'. He said she opened his eyes and taught him about art, life, love and beauty, and that meeting her changed him.
Mirka loved Melbourne, and we loved her. She will remain amongst us for many years to come, especially in St Kilda, where she lived most of her life and where her art is everywhere. Au revoir, Mirka, et merci pour tout.