Robert Emerson Curtis b. 4 October 1898

Also known as Robert Curtis, R. E. C., Cabby
  • Artist (Cartoonist / Illustrator),
  • Designer (Graphic Designer),
  • Artist (Printmaker),
  • Artist (Draughtsman)
Mid 20th century illustrator and artist. In 1922 Curtis travelled to the USA with his great friend, the pioneer filmmaker, Charles Chauvel. There he developed what was to become a lifelong interest in industrial modernism and on returning to Sydney in 1928 he set about documenting the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Mural designs for corporate clients and department stores are also known.
You are viewing the version of bio from Dec. 13, 2019, 12:35 p.m. , as edited by Michael Bogle (moderator approved).
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Name
Robert Emerson Curtis
Also known as:
  • Robert Curtis
  • R. E. C.
  • Cabby
Gender
Male
Roles
  • Artist (Cartoonist / Illustrator)
  • Designer (Graphic Designer)
  • Artist (Printmaker)
  • Artist (Draughtsman)
Other Occupation
  • official war artist (ANZSIC code: 7600)
  • architectural draftsman (ANZSIC code: 6921)
  • Camouflage Officer (ANZSIC code: 7600)
Birth date
4 October 1898
Birth place
Croydon, Surrey [Greater London], England, UK
Death date
23 March 1996
Death place
NSW
Active Period
  • c.1921 - c.1989
Arrival
  • 1914
Residence
  • c.1971 - c.1996 NSW
  • 1969 - 1970 Overseas (New Zealand, Central America, USA, Europe and Asia )
  • 1959 - 1969 Sydney, NSW
  • 1941 - 1943 New Guinea (With the RAAF )
  • c.1939- Melbourne, Vic
  • 1932 - 1938 regional Australia (including Newcastle, Broken Hill, Kalgoorlie, Port Kembla )
  • 1928 - 1932 Sydney, NSW
  • 1922 - 1928 USA
  • 1914 - 1921 Queensland
  • 1912 - 1914 England, UK
  • 1909 - 1912 Chile
Training
  • 1909 - 1912 Chile
  • Art Institute of Chicago, IL, USA
  • Art Institute of San Francisco, CA, USA
  • 1912 - 1914 Farnham Grammar School, England, UK
Languages
  • English
Initial Record Data Source
  • Black and white artists

Difference between this version and previous

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Date modified Dec. 13, 2019, 12:35 p.m. Dec. 13, 2019, 12:33 p.m.
References [<ExternalResource: Curtis, Robert Emerson; with foreword by Dr J. J. C. Bradfield (c.1932), 'Building the Bridge: Fourteen Lithographs Celebrating the Construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge', Sydney, NSW : Simmons Limited, Re-printed as The Bridge, Sydney, NSW : Currawong Press 1981.>, <ExternalResource: Butler, Roger (1991), 'Australian Printmakers in America 1900-1950', Canberra, ACT: National Gallery of Australia catalogue.>, <ExternalResource: McCulloch, Alan; & McCulloch, Susan (1994), 'Encyclopedia of Australian art', St Leonards, NSW : Allen & Unwin (3rd revised edition).>, <ExternalResource: Hetherington, Michelle (1999), 'Follow the Sun : Australian Travel Posters 1930s-1950s', Canberra, ACT : National Library of Australia exhibition brochure.>, <ExternalResource: (1996), '[Obituary]', Sydney Morning Herald, 04-05.>, <ExternalResource: Wollongong, NSW : Wollongong City Gallery.>, <ExternalResource: Germaine, Max (1990), 'Artists & galleries of Australia', Roseville, NSW : Craftsman House (3rd enlarged edition).>, <ExternalResource: (1921), Brisbane, Qld : Brisbane Mail.>, <ExternalResource: Walkabout.>, <ExternalResource: Information sourced from Van der Ven, Anne-Marie.>, <ExternalResource: Curtis, Robert Emerson; with foreword by Prof. H. Ingham Ashworth (1967), 'A Vision Takes Form: Sydney Opera House', Sydney, NSW : A.H. & A.W. Reed.>, <ExternalResource: Information sourced from Glascott, Joseph.>, <ExternalResource: (1992), 'Betty Marshall interview', Sydney, NSW : State Library of New South Wales, Mitchell Library Oral History MLOH93/1-2, 07-31.>, <ExternalResource: (1932), Sydney, NSW : The Daily Telegraph, 03-19.>, <ExternalResource: 'Joan Kerr Archive', National Library of Australia, Canberra, ACT.>, <ExternalResource: Information sourced from Walsh, John.>, <ExternalResource: "Robert Emerson Curtis." Australian Art, Josef Lebovic Gallery, Collectors Lisst no.183, 2016, p.8. illustrations of mural designs for Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Atlantic Oil, Sydney are illustrated.>, <ExternalResource: Several works described and illustrated in Australian and International Medley, no.198, 2019, Josef Lebovic Gallery, Kensington NSW.>] [<ExternalResource: Curtis, Robert Emerson; with foreword by Dr J. J. C. Bradfield (c.1932), 'Building the Bridge: Fourteen Lithographs Celebrating the Construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge', Sydney, NSW : Simmons Limited, Re-printed as The Bridge, Sydney, NSW : Currawong Press 1981.>, <ExternalResource: Butler, Roger (1991), 'Australian Printmakers in America 1900-1950', Canberra, ACT: National Gallery of Australia catalogue.>, <ExternalResource: McCulloch, Alan; & McCulloch, Susan (1994), 'Encyclopedia of Australian art', St Leonards, NSW : Allen & Unwin (3rd revised edition).>, <ExternalResource: Hetherington, Michelle (1999), 'Follow the Sun : Australian Travel Posters 1930s-1950s', Canberra, ACT : National Library of Australia exhibition brochure.>, <ExternalResource: (1996), '[Obituary]', Sydney Morning Herald, 04-05.>, <ExternalResource: Wollongong, NSW : Wollongong City Gallery.>, <ExternalResource: Germaine, Max (1990), 'Artists & galleries of Australia', Roseville, NSW : Craftsman House (3rd enlarged edition).>, <ExternalResource: (1921), Brisbane, Qld : Brisbane Mail.>, <ExternalResource: Walkabout.>, <ExternalResource: Information sourced from Van der Ven, Anne-Marie.>, <ExternalResource: Curtis, Robert Emerson; with foreword by Prof. H. Ingham Ashworth (1967), 'A Vision Takes Form: Sydney Opera House', Sydney, NSW : A.H. & A.W. Reed.>, <ExternalResource: Information sourced from Glascott, Joseph.>, <ExternalResource: (1992), 'Betty Marshall interview', Sydney, NSW : State Library of New South Wales, Mitchell Library Oral History MLOH93/1-2, 07-31.>, <ExternalResource: (1932), Sydney, NSW : The Daily Telegraph, 03-19.>, <ExternalResource: 'Joan Kerr Archive', National Library of Australia, Canberra, ACT.>, <ExternalResource: Information sourced from Walsh, John.>, <ExternalResource: "Robert Emerson Curtis." Australian Art, Josef Lebovic Gallery, Collectors Lisst no.183, 2016, p.8. illustrations of mural designs for Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Atlantic Oil, Sydney are illustrated.>]