1925 – 2025
There are many in our community who knew Pat Elkin far better than I did. Yet even in my limited interactions with her, I was genuinely and deeply inspired. Pat had a way of leaving a lasting impression – with her warmth, humour, and unwavering dedication to art.
Most within the NERAM community will know Pat as one of the founding members of Packsaddle – an evolving group, primarily made up of women, established in 1985. From the beginning, Packsaddle has been committed to two key goals: providing New England audiences with access to high-quality contemporary art, and supporting the New England Regional Art Museum. In both endeavours, the group has achieved extraordinary success.
Now in its 40th year, Packsaddle continues to present its annual exhibition, showcasing some of Australia’s finest contemporary artists. Over the decades, the group has donated more than half a million dollars to NERAM, supporting acquisitions, collection conservation, and much more. Pat was a dedicated member throughout, later becoming the group’s patron after stepping back from full committee duties.
I first met Pat in 2016 during the install week of my first Packsaddle exhibition. She arrived on the second or third day of the hang. After a brief and pleasant conversation, she quietly moved one or two artworks on the front wall to positions she felt were better suited. While ordinarily this might be considered a faux pas – interfering with the curator’s placement – Pat’s quiet confidence and charm left little room for disagreement. I decided to act as if I hadn’t noticed and left her changes in place. She clearly had an excellent eye and knew exactly what she was doing.
At subsequent Packsaddle exhibitions, I would seek Pat’s opinion and approval. She spoke thoughtfully about the artworks and the hang – her passion and experience clearly evident. On opening nights, Pat would arrive in her Packsaddle uniform and Akubra, a huge grin on her face, ready for the party. Her legendary antics – cracking a stockwhip in the gallery or dancing on tables at the post-opening dinner – were equal parts delightful and alarming. There are so many stories fondly remembered.
It was a great privilege to be invited to an intimate gathering at her home in 2022 to celebrate her receiving an Order of Australia Medal, recognising her lifelong commitment to art and her support of Australian artists. It was a richly deserved honour – one that also acknowledged the enduring impact of Packsaddle and the many women who have carried on the vision set out by June Atherton, Pat Elkin, Benoni Pearson, and Beverley Wright.
This year, Packsaddle celebrates its 40th anniversary – the same year Pat turned 100, and the same year we said goodbye to her.
I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing, just a day after she celebrated her centenary with friends and family from her hospital room. And yet, in a way, it felt like the perfect farewell for a woman who lived life fully, with great humour and an enduring passion for art. Perhaps, she was simply ready to go, after one more party.
Pat will be greatly missed by so many who loved and admired her. But her legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of NERAM: in the works she donated to the collection, in every artwork preserved through Packsaddle’s Adopt an Artwork support, in the lighting throughout the gallery, and in the spirit of every Packsaddle opening night.
Vale Pat—thank you for everything.
Rachael Parsons
NERAM Director
Image: Pat Elkin in her studio.
