Simon Dattner

Born 1948

Simon Dattner grew up in Eltham Victoria at a time when  the district was the place for artists and writers to meet, live and share their lives. Nearby artist colony, Montsalvat was central to the artist community and here he worked with artists such as Sonia and Helen Skipper and Joe Hannan.

The Dattner family were  influential in modern Melbourne society creating a name in business and handcrafted furniture. Simon, the painter first picked up a brush at age four and had been painting and studying art ever since.

Simon would often accompany the renowned artist Jock Frater on excursions into the bush where they would paint together, master and young painter. Other artists whose lives intermingled with the Dattner family and had an influence on the development of Simon as a painter include John Percival, Arthur Boyd, Clifton Pugh, Joe Hannan, Niel Douglas and Justus Jorgensen.

Early educated at Ivanhoe Grammar school he later studied art in the 1960s at the National Gallery School under John Brack. Fellow students included Peter Booth and Rick Amor.

After leaving Melbourne he spent time in London where he was enrolled for four years studying art at the  Byam Shaw School of art. He was influenced at this time by Francis Bacon and David Hockney. 

Travel to the United States gave way to influences such as De Kooning and Rothko. He returned to Australia believing this country was ‘way behind the rest of the world’.

Simon currently lives in the Eltham area and is working on a new series of paintings.

Exhibitions

William Mora Gallery, Melbourne– 1980s

Exhibition with Adrian Stramp – Fitzroy

York Street Gallery

Gateway Galleries – Eltham

National Gallery of Victoria – group work

Collections

Nillmbik Shire

Numerous Private Collections