James Egan (artist)

James Egan (born 1929) is an Australian artist. He is highly respected for his work in the Australian community and is recognized as one of Australia’s best painters. His work has featured in exhibitions around the world and he still is painting from his studio near Ballarat, Victoria today.

Egan was born in Melbourne Australia. From the age of 14 to the age of 19, James worked as a boxer and came into a contact with an Englishman on the run from the law. This Englishman, name unknown, taught James how to draw and the arts in general as he himself had previously learnt at the Slade Art School in London.

Egan's inspiration has come from many interesting places including the Australian outback and bush land to the third world countries of Mexico and Cambodia as well as some of the poorest areas of Spain, England and the United States.

In 1986 the state of Victoria recognized Egan's contribution to the art work deeming him a Living treasure in Perpetuity.

Collections

His work has been displayed in many notable exhibitions such as:

• The Prince of Wales collection at Buckingham Palace
• San Francisco Airport
• World Trade Center
• Moscow Parliament Collection

Publications

James has been listed in many world wide publications including; The Who's Who in Australia (2006), Who's Who of Australian Visual Artists, Australian Artists Today, The International Who's Who of Contemporary Achievement: Men of Achievement out of the UK, and many more.

References

Harris and Butters 2003. Recollections 20th Century Ballarat: Harris House of Photography. http://www.jamesegangallery.com.au/profile.htm

Who's Who in Australia (2006): Crown Content