David Dridan

Landscape artist

David Dridan (b. 1932), an artist, studied at the South Australian School of Art and later at East Sydney Technical College. David is a South Australian artist, known for painting landscapes in oils. His long-term relationship with the South Australian Landscape has seen him capture our open skies and vegetation all around the state from the Coorong Sandhills, the Flinders Rangers Peaks, and break-away country to the rolling Adelaide hills and wine region.

Retiring at 89 years of age (2021) from full-time painting - his last works are smaller, less structured, and more impressionistic, and all portray the 16:6 Heritage Agreement.

In his works the land appears dishevelled yet is so beautiful, with Mallee, Acacia, and spinifex grasses, the juxtaposition of the colours of new growth, and old weathered natural beauty.

David Dridan assisted with the purchase of the 16:6 Heritage Agreement to secure some of the wonderful Mid Murray Mallee vegetation for future generations. His hope that aspiring artists may enjoy the peace of the property and how the tranquillity of the land can promote creativity.

Background

David Dridan (b. 1932), artist, studied at the South Australian School of Art and later at East Sydney Technical College. There, he met many talented students and teachers including Sir Russell Drysdale, who became a friend and a noteworthy influence on his work.

Awarded a grant from the British Council in 1961, he travelled to the UK for further study at the London Polytechnic and to undertake training in gallery administration and art restoration at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

David was the keeper of paintings at the Art Gallery of South Australia from 1962 to 1964, during which period he also became a teacher at St Peter’s College, Adelaide, where he was the Senior Art Master for 8 years.

From the late 1960s he focused increasingly on his own creativity, painting and becoming known for his capture of the South Australian landscapes, as well as providing private art lessons/teaching.

In the early 1970s, he served as a member of the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board, formed to advise the government on the development of the national collection.

Through the 1970’s and 1980’s David dabbled in being a viticulturist and formalized his position as an Art collector.

The 1990’s saw David as the co-founder of the Fleurieu Art Prize, and the period when he established his own gallery at McLaren Vale.

In the mid-2000’s, he moved to a new home (with studio) in Strathalbyn, where he painted larger works in oil and continued to arrange “En plein air” outdoor workshops with fellow artists until late 2018. On occasion even in the company of his friends and fellow octogenarians the late John Olsen and Barry Humphries, and other renowned artists Geoff Wilson and Tim Storrie and sculptor Silvio Apponyi.

David was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2007 for his services to the arts, tourism and the wine industry in the region.

Even on occasion in the company of his friends and fellow octogenarians the late Barry Humphries (AO and CBE) and Brian Dunlop, and other renowned artists, Geoff Wilson, Tim Storrier and sculptor Silvio Apponyi (OAM).

David continues to paint most days, albeit in smaller works, using gouache. He maintains that being creative engages his mind and encourages focus and grounding.

Over his career David has held dozens solo exhibitions and many joint shows with examples of his work held in various public collections, including those of the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Biography born in Adelaide 1932

1949 - 1951        South Australian School of Arts and Crafts.
1952 - 1953        Private study with J Hicks and J Ashworth
1954                   National Art School in Sydney.
1959                   Professional assistant to the director of the National Gallery in South Australia.
1961 - 1962        The Victorian and Albert Museum, Tate Gallery, National Gallery and Polytechnic London.
1960 - 1982        Art advisor to John Martin’s LTD

1960 – 1976 Adelaide Festival of the Arts (Biannual) Organiser

1965 Established North Adelaide Gallery.

1968 David became a full-time professional artist.
1970 - 1979 Art advisor to Finance Corp of Australia

1972 Advisor to the National Gallery – Commonwealth collections
1975 Member Adelaide University Arts committee

1980 Advisor to JB Weir and Sons in Melbourne.

1980                   Art advisor to beneficial finance company LTD.
1980 - 1984        Member of the board, Art Gallery of South Australia.
1984                   Member, interim committee, Carrick Hill development Adelaide.
1985 - 1992        Deputy chairman Carrick Hill Trust.
1985                   Art advisor State Bank (Bank SA).
1986                   Sister Exhibition, Houston Festival of the nation - honouring Australia.

1960 -2018 Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts (Now a life member)

Until retirement in 2017 -2018, David was:

· Approved valuer for the Australian government committee

· A founding and continued member of the Fleurieu Art Prize and biennale

Exhibitions. Between 1968 and 2019.

Over 50 exhibitions in a 71-year career

· Multiple exhibitions in Adelaide/South Australia

· 6 exhibitions Sydney

· 5 exhibitions Melbourne

· 3 exhibitions Perth

· 4 exhibitions London

· 3 exhibitions America

· 1 France (1963) one of five Australians selected to exhibit in the Paris Benali

· Many mixed exhibitions throughout Australia

· 2006 The Dridan Collection Dridan fine arts.

· 2007 The Summer show Dridan Fine Arts

David Dridan’s paintings are in the collection of

· Adelaide Steamship Company LTD Australia.

· Advertiser Newspaper LTD Adelaide.

· Art Gallery of Brisbane and Queensland.

· Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth

· Art Gallery of Northern Territory Darwin.

· Bank of Tokyo Japan.

· Bank SA South Australia.

· Beneficial Finance LTD Australia.

Awards and special notations

· 1963 – Selected as one of five Australian artists for the French Biennale.

· 1988 awarded the SA Great Award for the arts.

· 2007 - Order of Australia O.A.M

· A recent addition to the world’s leading artist database

· The Getty ULAN - Word of art resources

· 2018 life member as a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts – South Australia

· Boral collection Australia.

· Commonwealth collection in Canberra.

· Elders Australia.

· George Patterson collection Australia.

· Griffin Press Australia.

· Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 (now) King Charles 111

· HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.

· HRH the Duke of Gloucester.

· ICI Australia- Collection.

· JB Weir collection Australia.

· Lloyds Aviation Australia.

· Malaysian Airlines Malaysia.

· Mobile Oil Australia Pty.

· Qantas Airlines Australia.

· Recon explorations Dallas Texas.

· State Gallery of South Australia.

· STIC Adelaide Australia.

· Tasmanian Art Gallery and Museum.

· The Duke of Edinburgh’s collection

Also, numerous provincial public and private collections throughout Australasia, Japan and Europe England and America