Ian Fairweather in Postcards

Ian Fairweather (1891-1974)

Thirty years ago, a lecture at the Australian National Gallery in Canberra entitled East and West in the Art of Ian Fairweather, continued an interest in the art of Bribie Island's most famous artist that had only increased after his passing in 1974.

Over forty years ago on a quiet street in Bongaree, a carving of the artist was rendered into a living tree by a local man to keep the memory of Ian Fairweather fresh for visitors and tourists.  Nearby at "The Tourists Corner" was a display of postcards featuring Fairweather.

Postcard caption: Bribie Island's Ian Fairweather,
who, by his very seclusion enriched this island.
This evergreen carving shall enrich his memory.
Source: NAA 5286567

The following postcards are those that were displayed at "The Tourists Corner".  This set were sent to Canberra in 1975.

Postcard caption: Bribie Island's artist,
Ian Fairweather's likeness hewn into a tree
to commemorate his love of nature.
Source: NAA 5286567

Postcard caption: Ian Fairweather receiving
the Bronze Medallion at his hermitage on Bribie Island in 1973. This great honour was bestowed upon him by The World Art Society for his contribution to Art.
Source: NAA 5286567

Postcard caption: Artist Ian Fairweather was awarded
this Bronze Medallion in 1973 by The World Society
of Artists in appreciation of his contribution to Art.
Source: NAA 2586567

Postcard caption: Ian Fairweather (1891-1974)
Bribie Island's world famous abstract artist's image,
sculptured into a living tree as an evergreen tribute.
This tribute stands in a shaded and secluded section of Webster Street, Bribie Island, at the southern end of Bonham Street, where his many admirers freely come and go as they pay homage to this man of nature.
Photo by Peter G.D. Barkham.
Source: NAA 2586567

Postcard caption: Bribie Island's world-famous master artist,
Mr. Ian Fairweather relaxing in the surroundings from where
he impressed art critics throughout the world.
Source: NAA 2586567

Reference:
East and West in the Art of Ian Fairweather. Lecture by Barbara Brinton, Wed 19 August 1987 at Australian National Gallery, Canberra.  [source: The Canberra Times, Mon 17 Aug 1987, p. 29 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132153528]

Postcards from "The Tourists Corner" Artist - Ian Fairweather.  1975. National Archives of Australia. NAA 5286567.

Further information:
Bernard Kuskopf - postcard collection.  Queensland Places website, Centre for the Government of Queensland. 

Bribie Island in the sun 1980

Cross the Bridge to Bribie Island: Queensland's island in the sun

brochure circa 1980

BIHS has recently recorded in our historical database, a tourist brochure entitled Cross the Bridge to Bribie Island: Queensland's island in the sun.

The brochure was produced by the Bribie Island Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with Caboolture Shire Council and Queensland Tourist and Travel Corporation around the year 1980.

While some of the scenes depicted in the brochure could have been taken yesterday, other scenes are of attractions from days gone by.

Koolamara Motel 

These scenes are timeless!

Sun, sand and sea!

The Saddlers' Restaurant 

Our Bowls and Golf Clubs are still very popular!

A montage of the Glasshouse Mountains in the background

with the bridge and Pumicestone Passage in the foreground.

Sculpture of Ian Fairweather in a tree trunk

near a replica of his hut.

Acknowledgements

The above brochure was reproduced on this blog with the kind permission of the Bribie Island Chamber of Commerce.

Further reading:

Squatters Restaurant (BIHS Blogspot) with a copy of a 1989 article ... 

http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com/2017/06/squatters-homestead.html

.... Squatters Homestead has been a landmark on Bribie for 14 years [in 1989].  It was built by Don Buckley...

If you would like to share your Bribie Island postcards - our email address is bribiehistoricalsociety@gmail.com

Q150 2009 Ian Fairweather

Q150 Heritage Plaque - 6 of 16 - Ian Fairweather

The Bribie Island Heritage Plaques Waterfront Walk Bongaree consists of 16 bronze plaques located on the "Heritage Walk" along the walking path beside the Bongaree beach from the southern point of South Esplanade and finishes just north of Kangaroo Avenue.

These 16 bronze plaques set on a white concrete square record various aspects of the history of Bribie Island: Record Rainfall, South Esplanade, Campbell's Store, Camping Grounds, Bribie Island heritage quote from A. Meston, Ian Fairweather, First Shop, Bribie Island Heritage quote from Stan Tutt, First Avenue, Fishing Records, Welsby Parade, Bribie Island Wartime, First Car, Shirley Creek, Castaway Convicts and Fish Cannery.

The following excerpt is from the 2009 booklet produced prior to the plaques placement.  The Heritage Plaques Waterfront Walk Bongaree project was a Q150 Community Funded Program, initiated by the Rotary Club of Bribie Island and supported by Moreton Bay Regional Council in conjunction with Bribie Island U3A and Bribie Island Historical Society.

A copy of the map for the Bongaree Waterfront Walk can be found at 

http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/bribie-heritage-plaques-walk.html

IAN FAIRWEATHER After a lifetime of travel and adventure, in 1953 at the age of 62, this world famous artist came to live in isolation in a grass hut inland from here. He created some of his finest paintings in this hut over the next 21 years, until his death in 1974.

Ian Fairweather

  
 Soon after his birth in Scotland in 1891, Ian Fairweather’s military family departed for India leaving him in the care of relatives.  He did not see them again for 8 years.  This may have set the pattern set for his solitary, independent, questing life, often spent in extreme poverty but always exploring his extraordinary artistic  abilities.  He spent his last 21 years on Bribie Island in peace and creativity..

Fairweather’s Search for Inner Peace

. After World War 1, during which he was captured and escaped  more than once, he attended the Slade School of Art.  

. He traveled extensively and went to China, learnt the language and translated Chinese works.  After living and painting in Shanghai he travelled on to Bali where he found art and culture were as one.  He eventually reached  Melbourne in 1934 but found the art scene there disappointing.

. He was in India during  World War 2, and once again served in the British Army  and afterwards  returned to Australia.and lived in a boat hull in Darwin.

. From Darwin he made an amazing, tortuous and largely inexplicable voyage , in which he nearly lost his life while attempting to reach Indonesia  in a leaky, home-made raft.

. His raft adventure  seemed to be  some  sort of catalyst.  Sent back to England, he eventually returned to Australia, constantly searching for the appropriate solitude for his creative genius.  In 1953, at the age of 62, he finally  discovered  peace on Bribie Island and remained here until his death in 1974. 

Ian Fairweather’s Life on Bribie Island

Ian Fairweather outside his grass hut.

           On Bribie Island Ian Fairweather settled in a grass hut in the bush, lit only by hurricane lamps and sharing his meagre rations with the local wildlife.  Using very basic paints and canvas, or cardboard from the local tip, he created many hundreds of wonderful paintings….he fame of which did not seem to interest him.

Ian Fairweather's "Que"  1950

         He sent his works away to be sold to dealers, art galleries and collectors around the world. These were always much sought after, but Fairweather was happy to just enjoy his creative isolation, drawing upon the rich experiences of his life.

     

Ian Fairweather's "High Tide" 1950

  By the 1960’s his creative genius was being recognized around the world, and it became more difficult for him to maintain his creative solitude. His fame and potential fortune had little impact on him, or the residents of Bribie Island who observed glimpses of this enigmatic character, as he went about his simple life among them. His inner feelings are reflected in his famous statement:                                                                

”There may be better places than the sunset strip of Bribie Island…. but it’s good enough for me”.

Ian Fairweather

       The Council became increasingly concerned about his health and living conditions and to improve this they built him a small fibro house next to the grass hut. He was always more comfortable in the grass hut but used the house to store paintings and materials.

       After his death the council burned his grass hut, and the small house was relocated into the garden of Coungeau House, Banya Street.

       A stone memorial marks the site of his hut in Ian Fairweather Park on the corner of First Avenue and Hunter Street.

Bribie Heritage Plaques Walk

Bribie Island Heritage Plaques Waterfront Walk

Bribie Island Heritage Plaques Waterfront Walk Q150 Community Funded Program.  Initiated by the Rotary Club of Bribie Island and supported by Moreton Bay Regional Council in conjunction with Bribie Island U3A and Bribie Island Historical Society. 2009.

The opening ceremony for the unveiling of the 16 Heritage Plaques held Saturday 1st August 2009.  The program was initiated and managed by Barry Clark.

A 40 page book produced to document and launch the waterfront plaque walk at Bongaree.

Record Rainfall

South Esplanade

Campbell's Store

Camping Grounds

Bribie Island Heritage - A. Meston

Ian Fairweather

First Shop

Bribie Island Heritage - S. 
Tutt

First Avenue

Fishing Records

Welsby Parade

Bribie Island Wartime

First Car

Shirley Creek

Castaway Convicts

Fish Cannery








1. RECORD RAINFALL 

The greatest daily rainfall officially recorded anywhere in Australia fell near Pumicestone Passage on 3rd February 1893.  After 3 weeks of continuous rain, a record total of 907mm was recorded at Beerwah by Inigo Jones, in this one 24 hour period.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-record-rainfall.html

2. SOUTH ESPLANADE

From the 1920’s many large guest houses operated along here.  Proprietors met the “Excursion Ships” and carried guests luggage over creeks and sand tracks, offering the attraction of specialty food and entertainment.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-south-esplanade.html

3. CAMPBELL’S STORE

In the 1890’s Joe Campbell was an Oysterman in the Passage.  In the 1930’s his son Reg had a General Store & Boat Shed by this creek, when it was much larger and used as a boat harbour by campers and Dugong fishermen. 

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-campbells-store.html

4. CAMPING GROUNDS

In the 1920’s there were few shops, no services, and less than 100 permanent residents.  Many thousands came every week by Ship from Brisbane and pitched their tents here to enjoy cheap and healthy holidays.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-camping-grounds.html

5. BRIBIE ISLAND HERITAGE

“Bribie Island is one on the meanest pieces of country in Australia ….. A howling desert of tea-tree swamps, rank aquatic vegetation and unimaginable cussedness”. 

Archibald Meston (1891) - explorer, Author and Politician.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-bribie-heritage-meston.html

6. IAN FAIRWEATHER

After a lifetime of travel and adventure, in 1953 at the age of 62, this world famous artist came to live in isolation in a grass hut inland from here.  He created some of his finest paintings in this hut over the next 21 years until his death in 1974.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-ian-fairweather.html

7. FIRST SHOP 

A.H. “Artie” Bestmann kept bees and dairy cattle here from 1903.  Alfred Hall, a Brisbane grocer, built a house next door in 1913 and together they provided basic goods to visitors from a spare room.  In 1921 they built the “Hall and Bestmann Store” on this corner.
Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-first-shop.html

8. BRIBIE ISLAND HERITAGE 

“It might not be too much to claim, Pumicestone Passage and Bribie Island contain more history, written and unwritten, than any other place in Queensland”. 

Stan Tutt (1981)  -  Sunshine Coast Historian

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-bribie-heritage-tutt.html

9. FIRST AVENUE 

Originally named Campbell Rd., for the Director of the tug Company who had the road built from Bongaree to Woorim in 1923.  It was planned to be a four lane road and steam Tramway, but this did not eventuate although initially it was a toll road.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-first-avenue.html

10. FISHING RECORDS 

“Bribie jetty and its environs must be the most remarkable fishing place in Australia.  More black Groper have been caught here than any other spot in Australia.  A man known as the “Groper King”  caught many over 500 lbs”. 

Ted Shields (1947)  - Fisherman and Barge owner.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-fishing-records.html

 11. WELSBY PARADE

This road named for Thomas Weslby, Brisbane businessman, Historian, Sportsman and Author, who in 1937 at the age of 80, wrote the book “Bribie the Basket Maker” and thus created a legend about the Island and its name.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-welsby-parade.html

12. BRIBIE ISLAND WARTIME

Bribie Island and Toorbul point (now Sandstone Point) were major training bases for Navy and Army forces during World War 2. Many military structures are still visible along the Ocean beach, and a small Arms Store can be seen across this road.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-bribie-wartime.html

13. FIRST CAR

In 1918 A.H. “Artie” Bestmann drove the first car, a 1914 Talbot, to Bongaree.  With a young Ian Hall as his passenger, they did the 2 day drive from Brisbane along beach and bush tracks, and then by barge from Godwin Beach across the Passage.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-first-car.html

14. SHIRLEY CREEK

Bill Shirley built the first road from the jetty to Ocean Beach in 1923.  He ran a bus service and a Guest House and became Bribie’s first Councillor.  A wooden bridge replaced a single plank walkway here in 1935 as his first Council works.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-shirley-creek.html

15. CASTAWAY CONVICTS

In 1823 three Sydney convicts in a small boat were caught in a hugh storm which dumped them close to death on Moreton Island. They walked around Moreton Bay, thinking Sydney was nearby, and were the first white men to live on Bribie Island, being there for many months before recapture.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-castaways.html

16. FISH CANNERY

A Fish Canning factory operated near here from 1910 to 1914 owned by Mrs Sarah “Mum” Balls.  She also had many Hotels and Refreshment Rooms in Queensland and in 1929 built “Santa Barbara”, one of Brisbane’s grandest homes.

Further information at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/q150-2009-fish-cannery.html