B. 1939 – 2010 

Australian artist Leslie Van der Sluys was born in Melbourne and studied at Melbourne State College and the University of Melbourne, working as an assistant to artist John Perceval. He was best known for his hand-coloured linocuts of abstract designs as well as Australian flora and fauna, many of which he would fondly name after his close friends. 

When reflecting on his lifelong friendship with Van der Sluys, the humorist Barry Humphries described the artist as a “keen observer of life, with a gift for mimicry and an ear for the colloquial.” He was erudite and reticent with a deep knowledge of music and European art history, despite lacking a formal education. 

Van der Sluys travelled extensively before settling in Fitzroy, Melbourne, with his partner the ceramist Chistopher Sanders. His work can be found in public collections including at the National Gallery of Australia.