"A painter may know what he doesn't want-
but woe to him if he wants to know what he wants-
a painter is lost when he finds himself-
the fact that he has succeeded in not finding himself is his soul (sole) merit." — Max Ernst

JULIAN D FISHER

Julian is an artist of international standing. His work interprets subjects and objects from within, creating orchestrations of form, colour and integrity. He employs depth and vision in his unique semi-abstract and expressionistic style, in oils and acrylics, on board. He has developed the ability to express the corporate profile, basic essence and technology of a subject in his corporate commissions, and in his other works uses his inner flare to present art with a spirit of adventure, leading the onlooker on a mission of discovery.

Born and educated in South Africa, Julian attained a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1955 at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, RSA. He and his wife travelled to England in 1956 where they worked and toured Europe extensively. They returned to RSA where Julian started an architectural practice in 1957. In 1965 he embarked on a parallel, but minor career as an artist. He quickly rose to the top of the ranks in the "Artists Market" and "Artists Under the Sun" groups in Johannesburg, enjoying the limelight for a number of years, and then decided to take art more seriously.

In 1972 he took on a more specialised professional approach to art and over the years that followed he was commissioned to execute corporate works for large companies such as Brickor, De Beers, Anglo-American, SA Airways, Sasol, Barclays Bank, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Edward L Bateman, Plasserail, Burroughs, Control Data, General Mining, TFC, Shell, BP, Richards Bay Coal Terminal, AE&CI, Murray & Roberts, ZAI, King Sobhusa II Palace in Swaziland, and many more.

Solo exhibitions were held in South Africa in 1972, 1977, and group shows in 1975, 1982, 1990.

In 1988 he settled in Perth, Western Australia, where, because of his experience in an industrial environment, was soon able to establish himself in the corporate, gallery and artshow worlds. Within a short time he was commissioned by companies in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and Bahrain – such as Woodside Offshore Petroleum, Wesfarmers, BHP, Steel, Hong Kong Bank, Australian Fused Materials, Roy Galvin & Co., Gwalia Consolidated, United Construction, Murchison Zinc and GEOS, Japan.

Solo exhibitions in Australia were held in Perth in 1989, 1996, 1999 and in Sydney in 2000.

He has been the recipient of many prizes over the years in group shows in Australia.

On June 30, 1997, Business Review Weekly, a prominent Australian magazine with international readership, published in a two-page slot "People and Pursuits" an article featuring Julian's background story and colour plates of three corporate artwork commissions.

He is represented in galleries in Perth, Bunbury and Sydney in Australia and in Johannesburg, South Africa. His paintings adorn the walls of prominent people worldwide.

The portraits that have been incorporated in the commissioned "Australian" corporate works were executed by close friend, fellow artist, colleague and portrait specialist – Eli Zagoria (ex-South African and Zimbabwean) now of Perth, Western Australia.

For further reference see Julian's CV summary.