Historical information

Max COWARD ( -1991)
Born Ballarat

Max Coward was training to be an art teacher at the Ballarat Technical Art School from 1937 to 1941. He enlisted in the A.I.F. and was a Naval Trainee at Flinders Naval Depot in 1941. During these years Max Coward was described as a cartoonist and illustrator, and was was attached to the Naval Intelligence Division in 1945, producing stories and drawings for the Navy newspaper Dit. His work was reproduced in the Christmas annual, HMAS Mk IV and the Army educational journal, Salt.

He was a foundation staff member at the Burwood Teachers' College art department when it opened at Box Hill in 1954, transferring to the Burwood Campus in 1955. Upon his retirement he moved to Queensland to start a graphic arts consultancy.

Coward was active as a printmaker during the 1970s.

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.

Physical description

Framed limited edition linocut by Max Coward. 'Hen Party' uses simplified forms reminiscent of the shapes gracing 'moderne' interiors of the 1950s and 1960s. The simplification of form and decorative pattern achieved through repetition shows the influence of Paul Klee's work and imagery.

Inscriptions & markings

lls 'Hen Party'
lower centre edition '8/28'
lrs 'Max Coward 64'