William Dobell by Elizabeth Donaldson

Description

Available September 2010. To pre-order or for media enquiries, please contact us.

William Dobell: An Artist's Life by Elizabeth Donaldson

This exquisitely produced book is a celebration of the life and work of William Dobell, considered to be one of Australia’s greatest artists and the first to win both the Wynne Prize for landscape and the Archibald Prize for portraiture in the same year. However, William Dobell was a quintessential Australian — more at home in the local pub with his friends than on the international art stage. He was also no stranger to controversy, famously being sued by fellow competitors after winning the Archibald Prize in 1943.

Lavishly illustrated with artworks, personal photographs and newspaper clippings, William Dobell: An Artist’s Life paints a compelling portrait of both the man and the artist.

William Dobell (1899–1970) enjoyed a career spanning over forty years. One of Australia’s most dynamic artists, his work is highly regarded and held in collections around the world. William Dobell: An Artist’s Life traces his path to success from his first lessons at the Sydney Art School in 1925 to his ten years in England and Europe from 1929 to 1939 and finally to his lakeside home in Wangi Wangi, New South Wales. Insightful text is accompanied by over 150 images, including such iconic artworks as Portrait of an Artist, Margaret Olley, The yellow glove and Storm Approaching Wangi. The result is a fascinating tribute to this most beloved of artists and an important contribution to Australia’s cultural heritage.

About the Author

After moving to Wangi Wangi, New South Wales, Elizabeth Donaldson and her husband Robert found themselves living just seven houses down from Dobell House, William Dobell’s former residence and today a lasting memorial to his life and art. This sparked her fascination with the artist and Liz became an active volunteer there in 2000. She has held numerous positions, including Vice President, Publicity Officer and Funding and Grants Co-ordinator. Her involvement there also saw her embark on a research project that has culminated in this book.

Specifications: 230 x 203mm | cased with jacket | 208 pages | full colour illustrations throughout