Martin Sharp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martin Ritchie Sharp
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Wirian_Bellevue_Hill-3.jpg)
Wirian, Sharp's home in Bellevue Hill, Sydney, 1978–2013
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| Born | 21 January 1942 |
| Died | 1 December 2013 (age 71) |
| Nationality | Australian |
Martin Ritchie Sharp (born January 21, 1942 – died December 1, 2013) was a talented Australian artist. He was also a cartoonist, wrote songs, and made films. He was known for his creative work.
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Martin Sharp's Creative Journey
Martin Sharp was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1942. He went to Cranbrook School, where he learned from artist Justin O'Brien. In 1960, he started studying art at the National Art School in East Sydney.
Martin was one of the people who edited a magazine called Oz. This magazine was published in Australia and the UK from 1963 to 1973. It was known for its funny and sometimes rebellious ideas.
Many people called Sharp Australia's best pop artist. He wrote the words for the famous Cream song "Tales of Brave Ulysses." He also designed the covers for Cream's Disraeli Gears and Wheels of Fire music albums.
He also created posters for Circus Oz, a well-known Australian circus.
Later Interests and Projects
For much of the 1970s and beyond, two main things shaped Martin Sharp's work. These were Luna Park in Sydney and the entertainer Tiny Tim.
Saving Luna Park
Martin Sharp helped restore Luna Park Sydney in the early 1970s. This was a challenging but important experience for him.
In 1979, a fire broke out in the Luna Park Ghost Train ride. Seven people died in this fire, including a father and his two sons. This event deeply affected Sharp. He believed the fire was meant to clear the land for new buildings.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Sharp led a group called "Friends of Luna Park." He worked hard to save the park from being sold and redeveloped.
Inspired by Tiny Tim
Martin Sharp first saw the performer Tiny Tim in 1968. This was after Eric Clapton suggested he go to the show. From that moment, Tiny Tim became a huge inspiration for Sharp.
Sharp once said that Tiny Tim's way of using songs was like his own way of using images. He felt they both took parts from different times and mixed them to create new ideas.
"Eternity" and Exhibitions
Martin Sharp's art was shown in many exhibitions. One special show was called Yellow House at the Art Gallery of NSW. A big exhibition of his work was also held at the Museum of Sydney. It ran from October 2009 to March 2010.
Helping the Sydney Opera House
Martin Sharp was a lifelong friend of Lin Utzon. Lin is the daughter of Jørn Utzon, the Danish architect who designed the Sydney Opera House. Jørn Utzon had to leave Australia before the Opera House was finished in 1966. Sharp's mother helped him leave secretly.
In the mid-1990s, Sharp helped bring the Sydney Opera House and Jørn Utzon back together. After this, Utzon created guidelines for how the building should be cared for in the future.
Street of Dreams Film Project
Sharp combined some of his biggest interests into a film project. These included Tiny Tim, Luna Park, the city of Sydney, and the 1979 Luna Park Ghost Train fire. The film was called Street of Dreams. It explored these topics and how they might be connected. The film was never fully finished, but a rough version can be found online.
His Final Years
In 1978, Martin Sharp inherited a historic house called Wirian in Bellevue Hill, Sydney. His grandfather had bought the house in 1937. Sharp lived there until he passed away on December 1, 2013. He was 71 years old and died from a lung condition called emphysema.
See also
- Martin Sharp – Profile at MILESAGO
- Hapshash and the Coloured Coat
- Martin Sharp – Official website: http://martinsharp.com.au
- Guardian obituary by Marsha Rowe
