Born in Melbourne, Agnes Barker moved to Brisbane with her family in 1920 and became a pupil of renowned wood carver and potter LJ Harvey at the Central Technical College when she was eighteen. Harvey recognised Barker’s skills and offered her additional opportunities, allowing her to work at the college after hours.

The ceramicist exhibited her work with the Queensland Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association (1927–33), the Arts and Crafts Society of Queensland (1930–31) and the Royal Queensland Art Society (1929–32). She won first prize in Brisbane’s 1931 Royal National Exhibition for her hand-crafted bowl made from local clay.

Fruit bowl 1931 is a fine example of Barker’s skills in modelling. She made the vessel in the year she travelled to London, where she learned pewter-enamelling. On her return to Brisbane, Barker began to make plaques and boxes in the medium. After opening a studio in Queen Street, she found her work as an illustrator increased and, despite having purchased a kiln in 1933, she gave up pottery the following year.