Joy de Gruchy and Craftsman's Market archive

Joy de Gruchy, who set up the craft and design studio Craftsman's Market in Queensland, was born in Cape Town in 1922 and died in Brisbane in 2011. Joy, architect husband Graham and three children (Jon, Ian and Rayne) moved to Brisbane in 1962. Joy set up the Market after discovering that local homemakers were struggling to find good design and craft to furnish their homes. She operated the business in Jephson Street, Toowong and partnered with local artists and craftsmen to provide designs and products to the Queensland market. Joy discovered the bold colour and simplicity of Marimekko fabrics and soon after Marimekko fabrics for curtains, blinds and wall hangings were in demand in Queensland. Craftsman's Market provided a large range of samples and bolts of the fabric for sale. In the early 1970s Joy expanded the interior design side of the business to include cutting-edge European products that she had chosen when travelling in Europe to research trends, ideas and products to bring back to Queensland. She was also actively involved in promoting art and craft and supporting associations helping to develop Australian art and craft. Joy and Graham de Gruchy sponsored an acquisition art prize, the Darnell-de Gruchy Art Prize, at the University of Queensland, from 1969-1977. In 1973, the Whitlam government asked Joy de Gruchy to sit on the Crafts Board of the newly revitalised Australian Council for the Arts, in recognition of her work. She was also a member of the Society of Interior Designers of Australia (now the Design Institute of Australia), eventually stepping down in 1993 after 22 years. In the 1970s and 1980s she operated the De Gruchy Gallery, a showcase for the work of leading artists and craftsmen, including: Danish textile artists; the weaving art of Hawaii; Milton Moon and Jack Laird ceramics; the watercolours of Jane Evans; and oriental rugs. In 1988, she closed the doors of Craftsman's Market.