B. 1901 - 1981

During his lifetime, George Feather Lawrence was considered one of Australia’s leading impressionist painters. Born in Sydney, he studied under Julia Rossi Ashton at the renowned Sydney Art School before embarking on twin careers – commercial designer at Paramount Films Art Department at Surrey Hills and painter of impressionist, near expressionist, landscapes and cityscapes. 

Lawrence was influenced by Max Meldrum, George Lambert and William Dobell, who was a lifelong mentor. One day, when Dobell was visiting his office, Lawrence lamented that while confined at work he had no subjects to paint. Dobell gestured to the suburbs sprawling outside his window, declaring “you have subjects all around you.” Indeed, Lawrence’s depictions of towns, suburbs and cities would become his most revered, captured with a sensitivity typically reserved for the natural world. 

Described as having “a permanent place in the Australian tradition”, Lawrence’s landscapes and cityscapes are represented in public across Australia including at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Australia. 

For a more in-depth biography of the artist, click here.