J. S. Watkins

John Samuel Watkins (1866 – 25 August 1942), generally referred to as J. S. Watkins or "Watty" to his students, was an artist who for forty years ran his own art school in Sydney, Australia.[1]

Biography

Watkins was born in Wolverhampton, England, and studied at the South Kensington Art School in London.[2]

He arrived in Sydney in 1882, and undertook further studies at the Royal Art Society of New South Wales (RAS) school under Julian Ashton, A. J. Daplyn and Frank P. Mahony.[2]

For many years the J. S. Watkins Art School was located at Margaret Street, Sydney. Edward Lee Holloway was one instructor.[3]

He was a member of the (New South Wales) Society of Artists from 1895 and a member of RAS and a trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 1932 to 1942.[2]

Representative works are held at the National Gallery of New South Wales and the Art Gallery of South Australia.[2]

Recognition

Erik Langker, a former student, wrote of Watkins:

'Watty' inspired and enthused us. He encouraged us to cultivate our own outlook rather than to follow any particular style. He was essentially a draughtsman more than a painter. He was just as interested in music as in art and he was widely read on an astonishing variety of subjects.[1]

A leading critic echoed Langker's appraisal of Watkins' work.[4]

A retrospective exhibition of some 60 of his works was held at the National Art Gallery in June 1943.[5]

References
  1. "Death of J. S. Watkins". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 32, 656. New South Wales, Australia. 26 August 1942. p. 9. Retrieved 20 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. Alan McCulloch (1968). Encyclopedia of Australian Art. Hutchinson. SBN 090814207.
  3. "Models Complain". The Sun (Sydney). No. 8780. New South Wales, Australia. 24 February 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 20 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Watkins Memorial Exhibition". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 32, 897. New South Wales, Australia. 3 June 1943. p. 9. Retrieved 20 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Late J. S. Watkins' Works". Truth (Sydney newspaper). No. 2786. New South Wales, Australia. 30 May 1943. p. 17. Retrieved 20 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
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