DONALD
FRIEND
Biography
The most gifted figure draughtsman in Australian art, Donald Friend,
born in 1915,
was also one of its most controversial and exciting characters. From
the time he left
school in 1931, jumping 'rattler trains' to Queensland where he lived
with Torres
Strait Islanders, Donald Friend sought an exotic life style. After studying
in London
he went to Nigeria in 1938. He was an official war artist in 1945 and
served in Borneo.
Friend lived in Italy, Sri Lanka and in Bali (1966-1980). Ailing health,
brought about
his return to Australia. Not even a series of strokes in 1987 which
debilitated his
drawing hand, seemed to impede his creative drive. He established a
firm place in
the story of 20th century art on Australian soil, through his work during
WWII, his
association with the Merioola group, his attachment to Hill End [and]
his long
friendship with Russell Drysdale”. Barry Pearce (edited version)
Senior Curator AGNSW.
Exhibitions
1938 'First exhibition of Drawings', REA Wilson Ltd, London
1942-52 Macquarie Galleries, Sydney
1952 Redfern Gallery, London
1953-61 The Johnstone Gallery, Brisbane
1956-62 Macquarie Galleries, Sydney
1966, 68 Von Bertouch Galleries, Newcastle
1970-72 Holdsworth Galleries, Sydney
1971-73 Galerie Drouant, Paris
1975-78 Australian Galleries, Melbourne
1975 Retrospective celebrating his 60th year as an artist, Holdsworth
Galleries, Sydney
1979 Von Bertouch Galleries, Newcastle
1979-81 Holdsworth Galleries, Sydney
1981, 83 Philip Bacon Galleries, Brisbane
1984-87 Australian Galleries, Melbourne
1987 Bonython Meadmore Galleries, Adelaide
1990 Retrospective exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Collections
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart
National Library of Australia, Canberra
SH Ervin Gallery, National Trust of Australia, Sydney
Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney
Brisbane City Hall Art Gallery and Museum
Sydney Opera House Trust, Sydney
University of Sydney Collection
University of Queensland, Brisbane
Carrick Hill Trust, Adelaide
Robert Holmes a Court collection
Neka Museum and Gallery, Bali
Bibliography
Barry Pearce, Donald Friend 1915-1989: Retrospective, Art Gallery of
New South Wales catalogue, The Beagle Press, Sydney, 1990
Gavin Fry and Colleen Fry, Donald Friend: Australian War Artist 1945,
Currey O'Neill, Melbourne, 1982
Gavin & Colleen Fry Donald Friend War artist 1945, Currey O'Neil,
Melbourne, 1982
Barry Pearce, Donald Friend 1915-1989: Retrospective, Art Gallery of
New South Wales, Sydney, 1990
Robert Hughes, Donald Friend, Edwards and Shaw, Sydney, 1965
|
