Australian Biography Series - Albert Tucker (Study Guide)

Synopsis

Albert Tucker is one of Australia’s most influential artists. Born in Melbourne in 1914, he has worked as a house painter, commercial illustrator, cartoonist and professional artist. Influenced by the poetry of T.S. Eliot, surrealism and German Expressionism, Tucker explored the human condition through his art. In 1947, he travelled to Japan, where he saw the devastation of Hiroshima—an experience that had a profound effect on his work. Tucker spent 13 years in Europe. His international career finally took off when the Guggenheim Museum purchased some of his work and the Museum of Modern Art in New York mounted an exhibition. During the 1960s, he began to enjoy considerable popularity at home. All major Australian galleries acquired his work and in 1990 a retrospective of his paintings drew over 90,000 visitors. 

Curriculum Links

This program will have interest and relevance for teachers and students at middle to senior secondary and tertiary levels. Curriculum links include Visual Arts, Art History, English, SOSE/HSIE, Personal Development, Australian History and Contemporary Australian Society.