Summary
Watercolour design in grey, black, white and yellow on buff cloured paper. It was made circa 1956 to be marketed during the Melbourne Olympic Games. Donation includes newspaper cuttings showing fashion clothes made from these fabrics.
John Rodriquez studied art and design at RMIT in the late 1940s and became well known for his screen-printed textile designs in the early 1950s. From 1950 to 1980 he was one of a handful of Australian textile designers who developed a new contemporary style with innovative use of colour. His designs in the early 1950s were mostly of Aboriginal or geometric style. Later he turned to more abstract designs in the Scandinavian style. Later still he made bold use of colour. Rodriquez introduced unique Australian styles which have been imitated often since. He always stressed the importance of innovation. Many homes in Australia and overseas still have his art works in the linen cupboard.
John Rodriquez retired in 1988, handing the Rodriquez company to his son Rimian, who has computerised the screen printing and mostly employs other designers for the products, but still uses a few of his father's most popular designs. Rodriquez passed away in 2000.
Physical Description
Watercolour design in grey, black, white and yellow on buff cloured paper. Geometric design with flags and 'Melbourne Olympics' and '1956' inscription in white.
Significance
See Narrative 'John Rodriquez Textile Collection'.
More Information
-
Collection Names
John Rodriquez Textile Collection, 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games Collection
-
Collecting Areas
-
Acquisition Information
Donation from Ms Patricia Rodriquez, 24 Jan 2006
-
Artist
-
Place & Date Made
-
Inscriptions
1956 Melbourne/Olympics
-
Classification
-
Category
-
Discipline
-
Type of item
-
Overall Dimensions
380 mm (Width), 560 mm (Height)
Note: artwork is wider horizontally.
-
Overall Dimensions - Rolled
559 mm (Length), 72 mm (Width)
Measurement From Conservation.
-
References
Photocopies of old issues of Home Beautiful which display John's fabric designs have been offered by the donor. Newspaper cuttings showing clothes made from Rodriquez-designed fabrics.
-
Keywords
Artworks, Fabric Designs, Handcrafts, Textiles, Olympic Games: Melbourne, 1956