George Lawrence

Places of work recorded in the authority are Europe and Amsterdam. Work by George Lawrence is recorded in the collections of National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Cincinnati Art Museum and National Gallery of Australia. Distinctions recorded are Wynne Prize.

• Movement — Impressionism • Notable Works — Wynne Prize for Landscape, 1949. 'The Two Rivers' • Born — 12 June 1901 • Education — The Julian Ashton Art School • Birthplace — Annandale, N.S.W. • Died — 26 June 1981 • Place of death — Northwood, N.S.W.

George Feather Lawrence was raised in the Sydney suburb of Annandale. Born on 12 June 1901, the fifth child of seven, to English parents from Gloucestershire and Yorkshire. Lawrence was schooled at South Annandale Public, then at neighbouring Petersham High School. After leaving school Lawrence was accepted into the art department of the printers John Sands & Co. as a lithographic apprentice. The apprenticeship would last almost seven years, with Lawrence gaining expertise with printing and the reproduction of art works. The young apprentice was required to attend the Julian Ashton Art School. A turning point in Lawrence’s life, he was introduced to a new world of art and to other aspiring artists who motivated and influenced his career. Lawrence’s career was further accelerated with his move to the well respected commercial art firm of Smith & Julius. He remained there until 1926 moving to "the more lucrative post of commercial designer at Paramount Films Art Department at Surry Hills." Lawrence made his commercial career at Paramount and remained there until 1962; having decided to focus his energies on becoming a full-time artist. Working and studying in Sydney, he eventually married, raised a family and launched his twin careers as both commercial artist, and as a landscape and urban scene painter. In this latter field Lawrence gained prominence, perhaps more so than for his landscapes although they too were well received. His depictions of industrial cities, their railways, their narrow streets and tenement houses, are painted with a sensitivity normally reserved for rural landscapes.

In 1951 Lawrence travelled to Europe to explore the European art scene, drawing and painting. Visiting Marseille, Paris, London, and the port town of Brixham, drawing and painting the harbour and streets. A second and longer trip to Europe was organised in 1963, visiting England, Scotland, Amsterdam, and Italy. All this travelling provided Lawrence with fresh subject matter to fill his canvas. The exhibition coincided with the publication George Lawrence: text on the artist's life by Roland Wakelin, published by Legend Press. In 1968 Lawrence made his last trip to Europe with his wife Dorothy before her death in 1971. After one final trip to Europe in 1973, Lawrence confined his travels to within Australia, principally Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia.

The earliest influences during Lawrence’s formative years as an art student were George Lambert and Max Meldrum. A later influence was the work of impressionist painter Elioth Gruner in subject and tone. In later years Roland Wakelin, who like Lawrence worked as a commercial artist out of necessity, inspired Lawrence to further his passion for painting and drawing. In his introductory words, Lloyd Rees argues for Lawrence to be aligned "in the direction of Expressionism, rather than that of Impressionism." The latter is more commonly expressed as the style attributed to Lawrence by art critics of his time. In 1939 Lawrence was visited at Paramount by his friend William Dobell. Feeling confined to his office, he complained of no suitable scenes to paint. Dobell pointed out "you have subjects all around you." In the same year another event occurred to influence Lawrence's work; the Melbourne Heralds' Exhibition of Modern Painting. The painter who had the greatest appeal to Lawrence was the French artist Maurice Utrillo. His streetscapes of Montmartre would influence Lawrence for years to come.

Continuing interest in the art of George Lawrence is evidenced by sales of his work. Six years after his death, the "highest price recorded for the artist is $20,000 for Sydney Weather, 1950", sold by auction house Christie's in October 1987. George Feather Lawrence died at Northwood N.S.W. on 26 June 1981, aged 80 years.