Baffled by the name? Dr Elwyn Lynn AM. This plaque commemorates a truly remarkable Australian. He excelled as an artist, author, art critic, and curator.
Elwyn Lynn’s story began in Canowindra NSW in 1917. His family later moved to Junee. He graduated from the University of Sydney in 1941. Between 1942 and 1968, he taught English and History in NSW high schools.
At university, philosopher Professor John Anderson influenced him. Lynn became a lifelong opponent of censorship. He even became Secretary of the Sydney Free Thought Society. He published articles against censorship.
From the mid-1940s, Lynn taught himself to paint. He soon gained recognition as a significant Australian painter. In 1957, he won his first major art prize. It was the Blake Prize for his work titled ‘Betrayal’.
In 1956, Elwyn Lynn married Lily Walter. She was a radiographer who migrated from Germany. Lily’s experiences in Europe and her descriptions of paintings there persuaded Elwyn to tour Europe with her in 1958. Visiting the Venice Biennale left a lasting impact. He was particularly influenced by ‘matter painting’. This style would shape his own work.
Lynn became an art critic in 1963 with the Sunday Mirror. He was the first art critic for The Australian. He later wrote for the Bulletin, Nation, and the Weekend Australian. From 1955 to 1969, he edited the Contemporary Art Society’s Broadsheet. He served as associate editor of Quadrant from 1966-1978. He then was editor from 1978-1981. From 1983-1986, he edited Art and Australia.
Lynn wrote extensively. This was mostly art criticism, journal articles, and publications. However, he also authored eight books. These included “Contemporary Drawing” and “Sidney Nolan: Myth and Imagery”.
Lynn also served as an arts administrator. He was secretary of the Contemporary Art Society. This lasted from 1955-1963. He then served as president from 1963 until 1968. In 1969, he became Curator of the University of Sydney’s Power Gallery of Contemporary Art. He held this position for 15 years, retiring in 1983. From 1976 to 1980, he chaired the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council.
Lynn is recognized as Australia’s most ‘distinguished texture painter’. His work is displayed in major Australian galleries. Two major retrospectives of his work have been held. One was at the Ivan Doherty Gallery in Sydney. The other was at the Art Gallery of NSW in 1991. From 1958-2001, he had over 50 solo exhibitions. He also participated in over 150 group exhibitions from 1947.
Elwyn Lynn received the Member of the Order of Australia in 1975. He became a fellow of the Royal Society of Artists in 1982. The University of Sydney awarded him an honorary doctorate of letters in 1989. In 1994, the Australia Council presented him with an Emeritus Award.
Peter Pinson noted Lynn’s importance. Lynn’s writings, collecting for the Power Gallery, and work establishing the Sydney Biennales were key. They brought an understanding of overseas visual arts to Australia.
Elwyn Lynn lived in Woollahra for 33 years. This lasted from 1964 until his death in 1997 at age 79. Pinson said his achievements were immense. We probably won’t see his like again in the visual arts. This Dr Elwyn Lynn AM Plaque serves as a reminder of his lasting impact on the Australian art world.