A real character, Arnold held an art exhibition in a butchers shop in 1966, with 35 paintings on show. He also painted murals on the walls of the Railway Hotel in Queen Street.
Gordon Fetterplace remembered Arnold pulling off the "most successful hoax in Campbelltown history". The artist had negotiated with Fontainebleux (the former sister city of Campbelltown), for a prestigious local exhibition of French art. Gordon recalled dropping in to see Arnold a few nights before the exhibition to find him hard at work painting a number of boat and wharf scenes. Unfortunately the art had failed to arrive from France, so Arnold was improvising. The big night was a huge turnout, with art critics and official visitors, all looking at Arnold's paintings!
During the early seventies, Arnold completed a 3 tonne, 7 metre high statue of a rearing horse for his friend Tommy Sewell, Hawkesbury businessman and horse trainer. The statue stood in the forecourt of Tommy's Tourmaline Hotel, named after Tommy's sprinter King Tourmaline. Tommy Sewell said of Arnold "he was a wonderful man - never before or since have i ever met a character like him".
Sadly, Arnold suffered from mental illness and alcoholism, and during one of his stints in hospital, he painted murals on the walls of the Male Admission Ward building, part of the Parramatta Psychiatric Centre Complex.
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| Mural at Parramatta, Photo Dr Terry Smith 1985 |
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| Mural at Parramatta, Photo Dr Terry Smith 1985 |
A recent interviewee said of Arnold "He was one of our first known resident artists. A fantastic gifted man".
Written by Claire Lynch
Sources
Campbelltown Clippings - Jeff McGill
http://picbear.com/fleet_street_heritage_precinct
http://hdinews.com.au/hawkesburys-finest-tommy-sewell/
Local Studies Pamphlet Files
Robyn Watson Oral History
Trove
Credit for photographs is incorrect should be Dr. Terry Smith
ReplyDeleteMany thanks June - my mistake. Thanks for your sharp eyes.
ReplyDeleteClaire
I am sure i have 4 of his paintings he did for me back in 1970 all are aborigonial portraits all signed by him. does anyone have copy of his signature that i can check against. Mr Drew
ReplyDeleteHi there - yes I have a painting of his with a clear signature - feel free to send me some images - I would love to see more of his work.
DeleteSorry for the late reply. We don't, but you could try the Campbelltown Arts Centre.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI had two (kitchen) tiles painted by Arnold. Aborginal portraits. One of them fell from the wall on the day that I heard that Arnold had died. I still have the other.
ReplyDeleteHey Seajay,
DeleteMy name is Ernie, I am an arts researcher and writer. I was wondering if this tile is still around and intact? If so, is there any way I could organise a viewing perhaps? I am based in the inner city of Sydney but am able to commute. This would be a great help.
Thanks for your consideration,
Ernie
I have fond memories of Saturday afternoon art classes beginning in 1967 in the stables at the rear of Arnold's home in Sturt St., Campbelltown.
ReplyDeleteArnold organised an exhibition which attracted a number of significant Australian artists including Olsen, Upwey and Cassab. He encouraged us to exhibit our work alongside these artists. He never did things in a small way!
In 1967 one of the Saturday group, Cec Burns, won the Sullman Prize with a three-dimensional work entitled "Exercise in Variegation". Arnold painted a portrait of then local federal member, Jeff Bates.It was not hung.
Arnold drew a self mocking cartoon for the local paper.
He encouraged me to pursue full-time studies in art but life took me in other directions. However, I have drawn and painting on and off - more off than on - all my adult life. I often remember Arnold as I pick up a pencil or brush.
Peter Confeggi
Hey Peter,
DeleteI hope this messaged isn't too delayed, I am an arts writer currently researching Arnold's life work and am hitting a lot of walls. National archives, Campbelltown Arts Centre all have no information on Arnold. Is there any way I could seek some testimonies from you?
Hopefully, talk soon.
Ernie
What a remarkable man he must have been. Thank you for sharing your memories Peter.
ReplyDeleteI was part of Arnold St. Claire's Saturday afternoon art classes. He was wonderful, a true eccentric with great eyes (I had more than a bit of a crush on him) and he was very passionate about art. He held an art expo in I believe 1967 or could have been 1968, may have been 1967, and encouraged us to enter the art competition as part of the expo. I was one of four young teens who shared a $200 prize for our entries, which was a lot of money back then. I remember one of my school mates, Alex MacFarlane, was also a winner for his fabulous painting of by-planes in a WW1 dogfight. So sadly Alex was killed in a car accident. Through Arnold I learned a lot about other artists, he was friends with Judy Cassab, and I respected his talent immensely. He was always upbeat and full of praise for our sometimes dismal efforts at painting. He taught me a lot about painting, which I still do, and I will never forget him.
ReplyDeleteLouise Zontek (formerly Nibbs)
Thanks for sharing this Louise - we love to hear these memories. Arnold must have been such an interesting person to know!
DeleteClaire
Hello, I'm desperately seeking any help in finding more information about my late uncle, Arnold St Claire. Despite never having met him, I feel a deep connection to him. I am working in the arts myself, but I've hit a wall in my search for his works. It pains me to think that his incredible talent could fade away in time. If there is anyone out there who can assist me in my quest, I would be eternally grateful.
ReplyDelete