Leonard and Kathleen Shillam facts for kids
Leonard and Kathleen Shillam were famous Australian artists who made sculptures. They created many amazing artworks together. They were recognized for their contributions to art with special awards. For example, they became Members of the Order of Australia in 1986. They also received honorary doctorates from the University of Queensland in 2000 for their work in sculpture. In 1976, they were given a special life membership by the Society of Sculptors, Queensland.
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About Leonard Shillam
Leonard George Shillam was born in Brisbane, Queensland, on August 15, 1915. He passed away on September 1, 2005. Leonard became a very important sculptor. He helped start two groups: the Queensland Society of Sculptors and the Queensland Wildlife Artists Society.
Leonard went to Brisbane Grammar School from 1928 to 1930. He also studied art under Martyn Roberts at the Central Technical College in Brisbane from 1931 to 1933. In 1934, he won the Godfrey Rivers Medal for his art. From 1934 to 1936, he worked as a designer in a studio that made silk screen posters. In 1938, he received a special grant that allowed him to study art in London, England. When World War II started in 1939, he returned to Brisbane.
About Kathleen Shillam
Kathleen Shillam (her maiden name was O'Neill) was born in Paignton, Devon, England, on May 25, 1916. She moved to Australia in 1927 and passed away there on September 20, 2002.
Kathleen attended the Girls Grammar School in Brisbane from 1930 to 1931. She also studied at the Central Technical College in Brisbane from 1932 to 1933. In 1933, she won the Godfrey Rivers Medal, just like Leonard. From 1934 to 1938, she worked part-time as a commercial artist. In 1938, she moved to Sydney. In 1939, she spent a lot of time drawing animals at Sydney's Taronga Park Zoo. She returned to Brisbane in December 1939.
Their Life Together
Leonard Shillam and Kathleen O'Neill first met at the Central Technical College in Brisbane in 1932. They showed their artwork together for the first time in November of that year. In 1935, they joined a small group of artists to draw together in Brisbane.
Both Leonard and Kathleen returned to Brisbane in 1939. From 1941 to 1950, they worked as poultry farmers to earn a living. They were married on September 1, 1942, in Brisbane.
In 1980, they set up a special workshop in their studio to cast bronze sculptures. They made all their smaller artworks there until 1987.
The Famous Seal Sculpture
In 1954, Leonard Shillam was asked to create a special water fountain for a hotel pool. This hotel was Lennon's Hotel at Broadbeach, which was the first big hotel on the Gold Coast.
Leonard created a life-sized sculpture of a seal with its baby. It was made from shiny terrazzo material. This sculpture became a very popular landmark and many people took photos with it.
After the hotel was taken down in 1987, the seal sculpture was moved to a jetty at a Japanese restaurant. Later, it went missing but was found at the bottom of a canal! It was rescued and then restored. Now, you can find this famous seal sculpture at the entrance of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. This is very close to where Lennon's Hotel used to be. The sculpture is also listed on the Gold Coast Local Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical item for the area.
See also
In Spanish: Leonard y Kathleen Shillam para niños
