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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 4 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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