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Born in Yorkshire, England in 1905, Bernard Hesling arrived in Australia in 1928. Originally a house painter and marbler, Hesling first started painting after meeting Leger, Vlaminck, Laurencin and other French painters in Paris. He modelled his work after Rousseau before moving on to abstracts and cartoons. He migrated to Sydney in 1928 and exhibited his abstract paintings the following year. Cartoons and writing by him appeared in the 'Sydney Morning Herald' as well as many overseas newspapers. Hesling painted numerous murals from 1950 to 1955 in NSW, Victoria, SA and North Queensland and pioneered the use of vitreous enamels in Australia. Hesling wrote art criticism for the Sydney 'Observer' and was an author of 5 books. Hesling was awarded an OAM in June 1985 for his service to the arts. <p>He died in June 1987, aged 82.

Examples of his work are held in the Art more...

7 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Bernard Hesling, Australian, b. 1905 England, d. Adelaide 1987,…

Bernard Hesling, Australian, b. 1905 England, d. Adelaide 1987, Measure me for my spacesuit, An enamel on copper, 61 x 30 cm. Provenance: Greenville Galleries, Adelaide, Private Collection, Melbourne

Bernard Hesling (Australian, 1905-1987), Jousting, 1969,…

Jousting by Bernard Hesling, 1969

Bernard Hesling (Australian, 1905-1987), Jousting, 1969, vitreous enamel on metal, signed and dated lower centre 'Hesling 69', minor scratches and rust, 42 x 83 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Bernard Hesling, vitreous enamel on metal, signed lower centre…

Abstract Enamel Figures

Bernard Hesling, vitreous enamel on metal, signed lower centre Hesling 83, decorated with various abstract figures

Bernard Hesling (Australian, 1905-1987). Persepolis, 1972…

Persepolis Enamel by Bernard Hesling

Bernard Hesling (Australian, 1905-1987). Persepolis, 1972 vitreous enamel on steel, signed l.l.c 'Hesling 72'

Bernard Hesling (Australian, 1905-1987). Stork Legend of the…

Stork Legend Vitreous Enamel by Bernard Hesling

Bernard Hesling (Australian, 1905-1987). Stork Legend of the white man, 1970 vitreous enamel on steel, signed l.l.c 'Hesling 70'

Bernard Hesling Vitreous enamel circular plaque, signed below,…

Circular Enamel Plaque by Bernard Hesling

Bernard Hesling Vitreous enamel circular plaque, signed below, 36 cm diameter

Enamel plaque 'Birds' signed Hesling 75

Hesling's Enamel Bird Plaque (1975)

Enamel plaque 'Birds' signed Hesling 75