Herbert Moegel came to Australia after the close of World War II, like many migrants, to establish a new life. The work he produced was abstracted and influenced by the Dreaming stories of Aboriginal people.
Moegel was born at Mannheim, a small town in southern Germany, where he also studied art. He served on German submarines during World War II. He married Elsie (?) (b. 1924) and migrated to Australia when they settled near Cairns where Moegel worked with the local Aboriginal community. They moved to southeast Queensland where Herbert became acquainted with Ian Fairweather and was probably influenced by Fairweather’s style of abstraction. The couple finally moved to Cabarita, NSW, where they built house which incorporated a small studio upstairs.
Moegel exhibited locally at Tweed Heads, Kingscliffe and the Gold Coast where he contributed to the Gold Coast City Art Prize from 1971 to 1975. He held a solo exhibition in Sydney during the 1970s. He taught at the Murwullimbah TAFE for two years around this time as well as conducting lessons and holding exhibitions of his work in his home. He died on emphysema in 1987 and his ashes were scattered off Cabarita Point.
Writers:
Cooke, Glenn R.
Date written:
2009
Last updated:
2010
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