Bio
John Dollery (Australian 1935-) Bio
John born in London in 1933 and in his younger years John frequently visited the National and Tate Galleries in London In 1957 John settled in Queensland Australia and in 1956 he received 3rd prize for a pen and ink drawing in the London Open Exhibition John is entirely self-taught While living in Queensland John painted most of his canvases strictly from life but he was never satisfied with his works He observed it was impossible to paint lightening, a gust of wind or a splash of a wave directly from nature On moving to Melbourne in 1977 he established himself as a full time artist He was very interested in the history of Australia, often painting the old gold rush days and the square rig sailing ships The Kelly’s Last Stand Gallery at Glenrowan has a large collection of his works depicting the life of Ned Kelly His work is represented in many private collections throughout Australia and overseas, including those of Raymond Burr and Lee Marvin John has won many prizes including the 1993 Best Painting in Show, Dr. Backhaus Art Show, Bendigo, and Best Sea Scape, Torquay Rotary Art Show 1994 He also has work published in the ’50 Australian Artists Vol.1′ and in the 3rd Edition of ‘Australian Artist Today’ John Dollery was a member of the Queensland Artists Society, The Victorian Artists Society and the Australian Gild of Realist Artists After John passing a letter found in his possession, written in 2007 by a customer who had purchased a painting from him 30 years ago, depicts him perfectly: ‘Some immortalize themselves in bronze You have achieved the same in oils.’
