Paul Delprat at the Norman Lindsay Gallery 40th birthday celebration
On Saturday 9th November 2013 a party was held at the Norman Lindsay house in Springwood by the National Trust, to which the artist had entrusted its care. Recent bushfire which reached the boundary of the property, had caused the evacuation of all the artworks and their subsequent return after the crisis had passed. “It was an opportunity to paint some of the rooms”, said Amanda Trevillion philosophically. She has been the loyal manager of the gallery for over 20 years.
Paul was delighted to catch up with Helen Glad, Norman Lindsay’s granddaughter, who retained all the fire and enthusiasm of her grandmother Rose and also with Margaret Stewart who used to visit the house with her father the poet Douglas Stewart throughout her youth. Paul was among the artists had been invited to paint vases for the 40th Anniversary and these were on display in the company of many Lindsay vases. It was a nostalgia trip for Paul who had visited the house on many occasions commencing when he was sixteen to see the reclusive master of Springwood. Norman had given him a lesson in watercolour technique – “leave lots of white paper to retain light and brilliance” He also gave advice on pen technique and etching, all media in which he was a great master.
Paul was invited to speak and fondly remembered the first Lindsay he ever saw. It was a lithograph in his grandfather Howard Ashton’s house. On the back of a tiger, in the company of a wonderfully wild bohemian group in various stages of undress, rode a boy nonchalantly munching an apple. Paul identified with that boy. He went on to tell of the making of two films based on stories by Norman for which he was later invited to create paintings;” Age of Consent” and “Sirens”. Norman had spoken of his friendship with Paul’s great grandfather, Julian Ashton and was an inspiration to Paul when he was commencing his own studies at The Julian Ashton Art School. The Lindsay Gallery now receives a constant stream of visitors from all over the world and is a permanent showcase of the work of one of the most original and gifted artists in Australia. In the image above Paul, who had forgotten to bring a tie, is wearing a splendid bow tie designed by Rose Lindsay which he purchased from the gallery shop.
Long may the Norman Lindsay Gallery continue its good work.