Historical information

Edward Heffernan and Geoffrey Mainwaring were Australian artists and art educators who in their very different approaches and passions influenced hundreds of artists and art students throughout their careers. Born only days apart in October 1912 they pursued a lifelong passion for art. Heffernan from Melbourne and Mainwaring from Adelaide gave decades in art education in regional Victoria at Geelong and Ballarat respectively. Heffernan was also influential in working with Melbourne students and encouraging art through the Victorian Artists Society while Mainwaring served to use his art in documenting the role of Australia in the Second World War as an official Australian War Artist. This exhibition catalogue profiles their careers and was the first such retrospective of their lives and work brought together to celebrate their contribution to Australian art and the double centenary of their births.