FLOWER, CEDRIC (1920-2000)

"Terraces" (c.1950) 
oil on board
cm
signed lower left
*private collection, Sydney
 
Flower was an underrated Australian Modernist, Theatre Set & Costume Designer. He studied life drawing with Dattilo Rubbo and had his first exhibition at the Macquarie Galleries in 1941 followed by a major exhibition in 1943. He worked as an artist on the Daily Telegraph and as a designer for Gertrud Bodenwieser. Whenever he could he escaped to the bush; his parents' dairy farm at Tilba Tilba was the subject of some of his paintings. He was one of the foundation members of the influential Merioola School, or the "Sydney Charm School", featuring the likes of Olley, Drysdale, Dobell, Friend, Sainthill, Lymburner, Rickards and many others. He was a painter, illustrator, book and stage designer, as well as writing radio plays and scripts for films and features; worked principally in London from 1950 to 1955; his work possesses a whimsical decorative quality that recalls Dufy. His works are represented in several major collections including the AGNSW & Newcastle Art Gallery.