Donald FRIEND   1915  - 1989

Born in Sydney in 1915, Donald Friend studied with Datillo Rubbo at the Royal Art Society of New South Wales and under Bernard Meninsky and Mark Gertler at the Westminster School of Art, London. When the Second World War was declared he returned to Australia and joined the AIF, serving as an artillery gunner 1942-45 and as an official war artist in 1945. He wrote and illustrated two books based on his wartime experiences, Gunner’s Diary 1943 and Painter’s Journal 1946, which enhanced his reputation for versatility and wit. He spent much l of his life outside Australia including periods in Ceylon 1957-61 and Bali 1966 - 80. He had power and sensitivity as a draughtsman, with an ability to delineate forms in an almost calligraphic line, mixed with feeling for colour and design.

Click here to view more Artist Profiles from the Holmes à Court Collection.