Greeting Card - Flowers, Yellow, Pink & Gold, circa 1949-1955

Summary

Off-white greeting card printed with flowers with gold, prink and yellow flowers.

Made by John Rodriquez around the late 1940s, when he began a business printing cards and handkerchiefs on his kitchen table. Museum Victoria has acquired a representative sample of the card series: 0052, 0053, 0055, 0057, 0065, 0066, A0068, A0070, A0071, A0073, A0076, A0078, A0085, 0088, plus four unnumbered cards. Only card A0076 - HT 24673 - is dated on the card: 'printed 1954'.

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

Off-white printed card, hinged at side. Features flowers with gold stems and foliage and prink and yellow heads. Random gold dots around edges complete the design.