When Julian Ashton arrived in Australia in
1878 it was at a time when colonial art imitated the English watercolour
and when young painters like Arthur Streeton were criticised for
depicting the harsh sun-lit landscape. Julian was dismayed by this
and became the leader in the battle for Australian art.
One of his first achievements was, as a trustee, to convince The
Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) to buy the work of local
artists of promise. "Still glides the stream" by Arthur Streeton
was the first of these.
As a teacher Ashton was without peer. "There is no better teacher
in Paris" said George Lambert. In 1890 Julian opened his School
in Beaumont Chambers, King St as The Sydney Art School. Celebrated
painters who came from this period include Elioth Gruner, George
Lambert, Thea Proctor, Adrian Feint, Syd Long, Howard Ashton, (Julian`s
son) Dorrit Black and J.J.Hilder.
Henry Cornwallis-Gibbons joined the staff in 1922, working alongside
Julian till his passing in 1942 and continuing to run it until 1960.
William Dobell, Eric Wilson, Jean Bellette, Douglas Dundas, Arthur
Freeman, William Dadswell, John Passmore, Joshua Smith and Max Dupain
attended in this period. In 1933 the School moved to the Rocks where
it remains. Among the artists attending in the following decades
were John Olsen, Michael Johnston, Brett Whiteley, Nigel Thomson
and Salvatore Zofrea.
Howard Ashton's son, J. Richard Ashton and his wife Wenda ran the
School from 1960, when among many gifted ones, Francis Giacco and
Ian Chapman attended, until 1977 when Phillip Ashton (Richard's
son) became Principal, this being the time of Haydn Wilson, Bill
Leak and Paul Newton. In 1988 the School was incorporated and Paul
Ashton Delprat, Julian`s great grandson, himself an ex student,
took over it's running.
In 1989 the art school's antique casts, easels and studio furnishings
were classified by The
National Trust.
Students from the school have won the prestigious A.M.E Bale Travelling
Scholarship on six occasions since 1990.
Norman Lindsay said of the the School; "An educational institution
of the highest cultural importance where the students are inspired
to emulate the achievements of past students by the very atmosphere
in which they worked."
For a full Biography about Julian Ashton See: Julian Ashton Artist Biography. |
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Paul
Ashton Delprat - School Principal
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"We look forward to welcoming you... I'd
like to invite you to endeavour to reach your creative goals.
A visit to the school might be helpful and I'd be delighted to
advise you. Please make an appointment with the office." |
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