Erwin Fabian drawings, paintings, and sketches

fonds

approximately 1940-2020

Graphic Materials, Drawings, Watercolours, Prints, Paintings

9676311

231 prints - monotype - 103 x 77 cm, and smaller
65 paintings - watercolour; textile dye - 78 x 57 cm and smaller
102 drawings - pencil; ink; charcoal; correction fluid - 35 x 27 cm, and smaller
1 poster - photomechanical print - 76 x 51 cm

Erwin Fabian (1915-2020) was born in Berlin to an artistic, Jewish family. He was the son of painter Max Fabian (1873–1926) who met Erwin’s mother Elsa at art class. Max had been an official war artist for Germany during World War I; he died in 1926 when Erwin was aged 10. Erwin was apprenticed as a trade painter and decorator, and took life drawing classes in Berlin before fleeing Germany in 1938 to England as antisemitism ramped up in Europe. In London, Fabian took evening art classes at London Polytechnic. Following Kristallnacht his mother also emigrated to London.

After the outbreak of World War II, Fabian was classified as a Category C ‘enemy alien’ for, mostly, Jewish refugees from Nazi oppression. As xenophobic, anti-German sentiment increased with the start of the War, all `enemy aliens’ regardless of category, including Fabian, were arrested and detained at Huyton camp in England before being deported to Australia on the Dunera in 1940. In Australia Fabian was interned in camps at Hay, Orange and Tatura. In Hay camp Fabian formed a lasting friendship with fellow artist and internee, Klaus Friedeberger. Fabian was in the same hut as Teltscher Adams, and was taught by later Oscar winner, Hein Heckroth. He produced many sketches and watercolours during his time in camp, along with a number of monotypes.

On his release from internment in 1942 Fabian served with the 8th Employment Co. of the Australian Army until 1946. In 1950 he moved back to London and worked as a graphic designer before returning to settle in Australia in 1962. His work now turned towards sculpture using, mostly, scrap metal. His first solo exhibition was at the Hungry Horse Gallery, Sydney, in 1965. His work is represented in collections including the British Museum, National Gallery of
Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, National Portrait Gallery (Australia) and Art Gallery of NSW.

Reference:
Library correspondence file

Collection was held by the artist in his Melbourne studio until his death.

SERIES 1
Fabian artworks from the HMT Dunera, Australian internment camps and surrounds

SERIES 2
Fabian monotypes, drawings and paintings

See Series level records for further detail and Call Numbers

In copyright:
Copyright holder:: Estate of Erwin Fabian
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder