Donald Friend 1915–1989

Donald Friend 1915-1989 was the first official retrospective of the artists’ work ever to be organised, held jointly at the National Gallery of Victoria and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

During the years of the Second World War he was often mentioned in the same breath with William Dobell and Russell Drysdale, as one of the leading Australian artists of the modern era. However, after the War, as Donald Friend proceeded with his notoriously itinerant life, he saw the careers of both Dobell and Drysdale go into an ascent, culminating in major retrospectives, whilst recognition of his own achievement seemed to recede.

Certainly the full range of the artist’s considerable talents – painter, draughtsman, printmaker, sculptor, illustrator, writer as well as an inspired collector – will be a surprise and delight to many. It is an exhibition that embraces and illustrates the extraordinary life and achievement of a man of unique imagination and the most gregarious taste. His work, constantly refreshed by new experience, emphasises and expresses every shade and dimension of his life. Little wonder, therefore, that it never falls dry and somnolent.

Sourced from: Pearce, Barry, ed. Donald Friend, 1915–1989: Retrospective. Sydney: Art Gallery of New South Wales, 1990.