Painter. William Dobell, O.B.E. was born to Robert Dobell, bricklayer and Margaret Emma (nee Wrightson) Dobell. He was educated at Cooks Hill Commercial Public School. In 1924 he commenced night time art classes at the Julian Ashton School whilst working as a draughtsman. He subsequently won two prizes at the school, 3rd Prize in the State Theatre Art Competition and 1st Prize for the Arts Society Travelling Scholarship which enabled him to go to London to travel in England and Europe. He attended the renowned London Slade School of Art. He returned to Australia in 1938 when his father became ill. He purchased his parent's house, "Allawah" in Wangi Wangi in 1942 from his father's estate and took up residence with his sister. In 1943 he won the Archibald Prize with a painting of Joshua Smith. He subsequently won two further Archibald Prizes, the second in 1948 with a painting of Margaret Olley and the third in 1959 with a painting of Surgeon, E.G. McMahon. After his death in 1970 at the age of 70 years, a group of residents formed the Sir William Dobell Memorial Committee and raised money and purchased his house from his estate. All of his paintings between 1945 and 1970 except one were painted in his home and studio. The house now known as Dobell House was restored by Federal, State and Local Government grants and loans and is heritage listed on the Local Environment Plan of the Lake Macquarie Council. The federal electoral Division of Dobell in New South Wales is named after him.
Painter. William Dobell, O.B.E. was born to Robert Dobell, bricklayer and Margaret Emma (nee Wrightson) Dobell. He was educated at Cooks Hill Commercial Public School. In 1924 he commenced night time art classes at the Julian Ashton School whilst working as a draughtsman. He subsequently won two prizes at the school, 3rd Prize in the State Theatre Art Competition and 1st Prize for the Arts Society Travelling Scholarship which enabled him to go to London to travel in England and Europe. He attended the renowned London Slade School of Art. He returned to Australia in 1938 when his father became ill. He purchased his parent's house, "Allawah" in Wangi Wangi in 1942 from his father's estate and took up residence with his sister. In 1943 he won the Archibald Prize with a painting of Joshua Smith. He subsequently won two further Archibald Prizes, the second in 1948 with a painting of Margaret Olley and the third in 1959 with a painting of Surgeon, E.G. McMahon. After his death in 1970 at the age of 70 years, a group of residents formed the Sir William Dobell Memorial Committee and raised money and purchased his house from his estate. All of his paintings between 1945 and 1970 except one were painted in his home and studio. The house now known as Dobell House was restored by Federal, State and Local Government grants and loans and is heritage listed on the Local Environment Plan of the Lake Macquarie Council. The federal electoral Division of Dobell in New South Wales is named after him.
Bio by: nettlyne
Family Members
Advertisement
