1) What is your date of birth and where were you born? Can you explain any significant events in your early life?
I was born in Murrumbeena, Melbourne, on the 24th of July 1920. My parents (Merric and Doris Boyd) were both successful painters and ceramicists in their time, and my four siblings also have careers in the art industry. I suppose one of the most significant events throughout my early life was when I made the decision to leave Murrumbeena State School (where I had received ‘First Award in Art’ three years running), to kick-start a career in art through working at my uncle’s paint factory. I worked on many self portraits, as well as portraits of my siblings during my time working at the factory.
2) When did you become interested in becoming a painter? Explain the influence of your family on your artwork.
Art has had a huge impact on my family throughout the generations. I believe my grandfather Arthur Merric Boyd was the one who really introduced art to the rest of the family, as he was the first to make a proper career out of it. After him, both my parents pursued careers in art, as well as my uncle. I think this long history of artists within my family really had an impact on my personal views on art, as it almost pressured me into partaking in different forms of art. Alongside this, all of my siblings also had likings for art, and I think they really influenced me, as I looked up to all of them.
3) Who were your favourite artists at school, and at different stages of your life? Explain how they influenced your artwork.
Throughout my entire life my family has been a huge inspiration for me, as they consistently strived to achieve the best result they possibly could, and supported one and another through ups and downs. Apart from my family, one of my first ‘favourite artists’ was my art teacher during school, Yosl Bergner. He not only improved my artistry, but taught me compassion, and raised my social conscience of ongoing issues at the time. After Yosl, another influencer of my work was my wife-to-be, Yvonne Lennie, who helped create depth and emotion within my artworks.
4) What subject matter do you use in your artworks? Explain the different themes or types of subject matter that you have used in your paintings throughout the years.
The subject matter of my paintings vary, but many of them feature the natural wonders of the raw Australian landscape. As well as this, there are multiple with abstract, distorted humans and mythical creatures as the subject matter. In 1941 Boyd was conscripted to fight in World War II, but despite serving in the end, the war provided inspiration for many of his expressionistic works.
5) Where did you get the idea for your work ‘St Francis Beaten by His Father’?
I created a large number of artworks based on the life of St Francis of Assisi, and the legends surrounding. These artworks consisted of a set of 25 lithographs and colour pastel works, as well as 20 additional tapestries to further enhance them. ‘St Francis Beaten by His Father’ is one of the lithographs created to accompany the 1960s reprint of the biography ‘St Francis of Assisi’ by Tom Boase in 1936.
6)A: What mood/emotions did you intend to be created through ‘St Francis Beaten by his Father’?
When creating the piece, I intended for it to provoke emotions of rage, devastation and sorrow. The confronting image of abuse creates these emotions through the facial expressions and body language of the two people featured. The monochrome colouring of the lithograph also adds to the negative mood.
B: How does the concept of Growth and Decay relate to your lithograph ‘St Francis Beaten by his Father’?
The concept of Growth and Decay can be identified in this artwork through the levels of power between the two individuals. One of the people pictured is clearly bearing a growing level of power over the other person, who is showing signs of gradual deterioration. The artwork also implies the notion of a scale; as one side’s power and wellbeing (or weight) increases, the other’s decays.
7) Explain in detail the influence and importance of Bundanon on your artwork
When I first visited Bundanon in 1971, the surroundings really influenced the subject matters of my paintings at the time, as I began doing more landscape pieces, which showcased the raw natural beauty of the area. The scenery opened my eyes to a world of new painting styles and techniques, and thoroughly expanded the variety within my collection of works. I saw the property as an inspiration for future generations, who could enjoy the landscape during temporary residencies.
8) What is your work routine? Can you survive from selling your work?
I have made all of my money from my paintings and artwork, and have never really applied myself to a different career path and art is truly my passion and the thing I love to do most. Due to the fact that so many of my family members were successfully in the art industry before me, I almost had a head-start to creating a career in art, because of the connections and relations to my family of artists, who were already well known in the industry.
9) What advice would you give a student who wanted to become an artist?
My main tip would be to just embrace your creativity, and use original ideas instead of binding yourself to the stylistic features of current artists or people around you. I would also recommend to experiment with different styles and techniques and find one you love, and to make the most of any locations, settings or people you come across by incorporating them into your artwork. My final tip is to just embrace your creativity, and use original ideas instead of binding yourself to the stylistic features of current artists or people around you.
10) Explain your involvement with Bundanon, and your willingness to donate it the people of Australia.
To me, Bundanon was stunning natural landscape, that influenced many of my works, and I wanted it to be available as a resource to other aspiring artists around the country. From the moment I acquired the 1,100 hectares of land, I was determined to share the beauty of it with others. After the Bundanon Trust was established in 1993, my wife Yvonne and I were able to provide our hopes and ambitions for the future of Bundanon.
11) What are some of your most honourable achievements throughout your career as an artist?
One of my first honourable achievements was in January 1970 when I was appointed as an officer of the ‘Order of the British Empire’, for services in art. 9 years later I received another medal; ‘Order of Australia’, for services to visual arts. In 1992 I also was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for my services the development of Australian artists and crafts people. One of my greatest achievements I would say is in 1995 when I was named Australian of the Year by Paul Keating, who was Prime Minister at the time.