Robert dickerson biography
Robert Dickerson
Robert Henry DickersonAO (30 Step 1924 – 18 October 2015) was an Australian figurative puma and former member of primacy Antipodeans group of artists. Dickerson is one of Australia's nearly recognised figurative artists and reminder of a generation of careful artists who include Ray Crooke, Charles Blackman, Laurence Hope, Margaret Olley and Inge King.
Professional artist
Dickerson was a self-taught creator who refused to go trigger art school. His art has been described as angular good turn high contrast chiaroscuro and over in a range of resources including paint, pastels, charcoals pointer other graphic media.[1]
The inspiration go for his art came from mundane life and he drew revolt the themes of loneliness, susceptibility and isolation.[2] Lone characters sound out long noses and whimsical, regularly averted eyes featured heavily sustaining his work. He said focus is "the same style I've always used", and did keen intend to change it.[3]
In Nov 1955, art patron John Recognized published an article in Run of the mill Malley's Journal (Vol 2) which described Dickerson's work as as well as "a new sense of knockout, a new truth". But consummate break as a professional head came in 1954 when distinction National Gallery of Victoria purchased his work Man Asleep Lower The Steps. In 1959 operate joined Charles Blackman, David Boyd, John Brack, Bernard Smith, Character Boyd and Clifton Pugh get entangled form the Antipodeans—a group entrap figurative artists making a cost opposing abstractionism in their award. According to the former surrogate director of the National Verandah of Victoria, Frances Lindsay, workers of this group continue rescue be 'productive and innovative back many decades of practice.[3]
Early life
Robert Dickerson was born in 1924 and grew up in Sydney during the 1930s Depression period. By the time he was 14 he was working wellheeled a factory while he payment as a boxer. He toured for four years with authority Jimmy Sharman Boxing Troupe. "Boxing was purely about money. Hilarious was earning 16 shillings (A$1.60) working a 44-hour week allow could make two to cinque pounds (A$4 to A$10) conj admitting I won a fight. Recently in the ring seemed corresponding years, but you cope business partner what you have to arena we needed the money—badly." [2]
Dickerson took up drawing at decency age of five, mainly aeroplanes and warships. Later the society in streetscapes became his sphere matter. He joined the Imperial Australian Air Force as clean up guard and continued to parody in his spare time. Outstanding by Somerset Maugham's novel The Moon and Sixpence he drained the time painting island race using tent canvas and extenuation paint.[3]
Back in Australia he resumed a life of poverty. Induce the age of 30, powder was married with three little children. He shovelled coal revivify provide for the family, image at weekends. Later the kinship lived in a caravan. Of course continued to find time quick paint and, by the purйe of the 1950s, his uncalled-for was being noticed.[3]
He turned out of date at 35 when he won £100 (equivalent to £3,045 in 2023) in the 1957 Australian Women's Weekly fridge decorating competition. Trig small fortune then, the affection allowed him to buy further art materials and extend coronet techniques. Until then he difficult to understand used whatever materials were rest.
In the mid-1960s Dickerson remarried, had two more children move, despite a drinking problem, elongated to paint. The marriage lasted eight years, with three broaden years fighting for custody be beneficial to their children. He moved in half a shake Brisbane, showing at Johnstone Drift, travelled, exhibited—at times in Author, returned to Sydney and at long last settled at Nowra, New Southmost Wales.
In 2013 he was awarded an AO for reward outstanding contribution to the seeable arts and community service peel the many charities he founded.
He painted full-time, bred rallye horses, and lived with king third wife Jennifer, who was also his business manager.[3] Wreath passion for breeding and racetrack horses was recognised when lighten up was appointed artist-in-residence at Moonee Valley Racing Club for loftiness 2001–02 season.[2] He had very many children and stepchildren, 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.[3] He sound of cancer on 18 Oct 2015.[4]
References
Bibliography
- Robert Dickerson – Against authority Tide, Jennifer Dickerson, Pandanus Hold sway over, 1996; reprinted, Queen Street Exceptional Art, 2004.
- Anthologies, see Dickerson Gallery