Ep 96: Scott Bevan on William Dobell

Reading Scott Bevan’s biography of 20th century artist William Dobell is like viewing one of Dobell’s portraits; Scott takes us behind the exterior of the subject and into their inner life. He just uses words instead of paint.

Scott is a journalist, TV and radio presenter, musician and biographer. In this podcast interview, I talk with him about the life of Dobell in the context of the changing art world of the 20th century. 

In particular, we go back seventy seven years to when William Dobell famously won the Archibald Prize with a portrait of his friend Joshua Smith. With less than flattering facial features and elongated arms and neck , the painting was a clear and challenging departure from the more traditional portraits of the previous years.

Almost every Australian held a view on that painting. Some were excited, some were shocked – others were even angry. In an unprecedented turn of events, two entrants who missed out on the prize started a court action to try to stop Dobell from receiving the prize money. Those events in 1943 would not only change the course of art in Australia but would traumatise Dobell and Smith for years to come.

In ‘Bill: The Life of William Dobell’, Scott takes us into Dobell’s life through the people who knew him, both in Sydney and in the town of Wangi Wangi where he ultimately found peace from the scrutiny surrounding the events of 1943. Most of all he brings to life the complex artist that was William Dobell with enthusiasm and empathy.

To hear the podcast episode, click play beneath the feature photo above.

To purchase a copy of the book click on the book’s title in the show notes below.

Photo: Scott Bevan stands in front of a painting by Susan O’Doherty

Show Notes

• Scott Bevan
• ‘Bill: The Life of William Dobell’
• Sir William Dobell
• Julian Ashton
• George Lambert
• Henry Tonks
• William Orpen
• Joshua Smith
• Margaret Olley