William Henry Archibald Constable b. 1906

Also known as Will Constable, Bill Constable, William Constable
  • Artist (Printmaker),
  • Artist (Cartoonist / Illustrator),
  • Artist (Painter),
  • Artist (Screen Artist)
Mid 20th century film and stage designer, painter, cartoonist, printmaker and illustrator.
You are viewing the version of bio from July 17, 2014, 3:43 a.m. , as edited by Olga Sedneva (needs approval).
Revert to this revision Go to current record
This record needs moderation

film and stage designer, painter, cartoonist, printmaker and illustrator, was born in Eaglehawk, Vic. He studied at Castlemaine Technical College, then at the NGV School from c.1926 and at St Martin’s, London, in 1930. He worked in advertising and contributed story illustrations and cartoons to Australia: National Journal , collected in Australia Week-end Book vol.1 (1942), e.g. circus pic p.35 “Perhaps we Zebras are allergic to train travel”; (2 Aussie soldiers in snow in England) “You know, to have a real Christmas, you must have real Christmas weather. Gosh, think of all those lucky cows in Libya!”; strange glass-eating satyr illustrating Roger Welch’s 'Gastronomical Blues’, p.58. Other work appeared later: vol.2 (1943), pp.48, 189 ('Trophies’, showing airman who has souvenired a halo and an angel’s wing, rather weakly drawn); vol.3 (1944) story illustrations; vol.4 (1945), small illustrated comic story about English squire and maid, p.20; vol.5 (1946), small story illustrations.

Later Constable turned to stage design, especially for the Borovansky Ballet, then for the National Theatre, Sydney. His best-known Australian designs were for the ballet 'Corroboree’, Sydney 1951 (originals in Opera House Museum – now SLNSW? – and AGNSW). Worked in UK from late 1950s until 1961.

Writers:
Kerr, Joan
Date written:
1996
Last updated:
2007

Difference between this version and previous

Field This Version Previous Version
Date modified July 17, 2014, 3:43 a.m. July 17, 2014, 3:40 a.m.
Related collections
  • Performing Arts Museum, Melbourne, VIC (collected in)
  • Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW (collected in)
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia (collected in)
  • University of Adelaide, SA (collected in)
  • Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth, WA (collected in)
  • Performing Arts Museum, Melbourne, VIC (collected in)
  • National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, VIC (collected in)
  • Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW (collected in)
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia (collected in)
  • University of Adelaide, SA (collected in)