Description

Extended Data

Birth Place

Dunolly, Vic., Australia

Biography

painter, graphic artist and writer, was born in Dunolly (Victoria). He studied at the National Gallery School’s evening classes in Melbourne 1927-28 and won many student prizes; two of his prints were purchased for the National Gallery of Victoria. A colleague of Buzacott and Counihan, he made strong 1930s linocuts, many as book illustrations. Inspired by Norman Lindsay, he also painted many watercolours of pirates and produced a sumptuous book, Pirates (Sydney: Frank C. Johnson, 1931), introduced by Blamire Young , in an edition of 50 with 6 full page colour linocuts the largest colour linocuts produced by an Australian artist in Australia until then (cf Napier Waller 's linocuts). His total output of prints, however, was relatively small (30 images). The Collegiate Etchings and Fine Arts Company of Melbourne and Sydney issued a series of postcards after Flett’s black and white drawings of well known Victorian explorers such as Lonsdale, Batman, Henty and Fawkner. Later, he devoted himself to writing historical books, e.g. a history of Dunolly (see McCulloch). This entry is a stub. You can help the DAAO by submitting a biography. Writers: Staff Writer Date written: 1996 Last updated: 2007

Born

b. 1906

Summary

A painter and graphic artist whose book of pirates featured the largest colour linocuts produced by an Australian artist at that time. He also produced a series of drawings of well known Victorian explorers.

Gender

Male

Died

1986

Age at death

80