B. 1924 – 2015

Robert Dickerson is among Australia's most celebrated figurative artists. He was born in Sydney as a child of the Great Depression and left school at thirteen to work in a factor. In 1947, after serving in the Royal Australian Air Force and becoming a professional boxer, Dickerson discovered painting: “I knew I had stumbled on the most important discovery about myself that I’d ever make.”

Dickerson was also a prominent member of the Antipodean movement, which included Charles Blackman and Sidney Nolan. In his role, Dickerson produced emotionally charged work often features lone, solemn and at times vulnerable figures. The subject of his paintings, pastel and charcoal drawings draw upon people and situations from everyday life.

Dickerson's work is represented in many regional and state collections throughout Australia, including the National gallery of Australia, the Queensland Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Victoria. His is a unique and acclaimed voice in Australian art. 

Click here to read the Art Gallery of New South Wales's biography of the artist.