Robert Ingpen
Encyclopedia
Robert Roger Ingpen (born 13 October 1936) is an Australia
n graphic designer, illustrator, and author.
and attended Geelong College to 1957. He graduated with a Diploma of Graphic Art from RMIT where he studied with Harold Freedman
.
(CSIRO) as an artist to interpret and communicate the results of scientific research. From 1968 Ingpen worked as a freelance designer, illustrator and author. He was also a member of a United Nations
team in Mexico
and Peru
until 1975, where he designed pamphlets on fisheries and was involved in "a number of Australian conservation and environmental projects". He left the CSIRO to work full time as a freelance writer in 1968. Ingpen's interest in conservation issues continued, and he was one of the founding members of the Australian Conservation Foundation
.
Ingpen has designed many postage stamps for Australia. Ingpen designed the flag and coat of arms for the Northern Territory
. Ingpen has created a number of public murals in Geelong, Melbourne
, Canberra
and the Gold Coast
in Queensland
. He also has designed bronze statues, which include the 'Poppykettle Fountain' in Geelong's Steam Packet Gardens (currently dry due to drought restrictions) and the bronze doors to the Melbourne Cricket Club
. His most recent work is the design and working drawings for a tapestry, which was woven by The Victorian Tapestry Workshop, to celebrate the 150 years of the Melbourne Cricket Ground
.
In 1982 Ingpen designed the Dromkeen Medal
for the Governors of the Courtney Oldmeadow Children’s Literature Foundation. This medal is awarded annually to Australians in recognition of contributions to children's literature. He was awarded the medal in 1989 for his own work in the field.
Ingpen was illustrator for the centenary editions of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan and Wendy and Kenneth Grahame
's The Wind in the Willows
for which he bases characterisations on contemporary figures and personalities.
In 2007 Ingpen illustrated a picture book by Liz Lofthouse called Ziba Came on a Boat, which was nominated for many Australian awards including the Australian Children's Book Council Awards and the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards
.
, which travelled to other regions of Taiwan
for a two-month period. Also in 1999 an exhibition of the original artworks and book launch for Around the World in 80 Days
was held in London.
In 2002 Ingpen had a solo exhibition in Bologna
, Italy
, and works from Shakespeare were exhibited in New York
.
In 2002 Ingpen's work featured in the inaugural exhibition at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
, Massachusetts
, with the artwork from Charise Neugebauer's - Halloween Circus at the Graveyard Lawn, being donated to the Museum by Ingpen.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n graphic designer, illustrator, and author.
Early life
Ingpen was born in Geelong AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and attended Geelong College to 1957. He graduated with a Diploma of Graphic Art from RMIT where he studied with Harold Freedman
Harold Freedman
Harold Freedman was an artist from Victoria, Australia renowned for his work in public murals.Also known as Freidman.Collections include Ballarat Art Gallery, Victoria, Australia- Notable works and achievements :...
.
Career
In 1958, Ingpen was appointed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is the national government body for scientific research in Australia...
(CSIRO) as an artist to interpret and communicate the results of scientific research. From 1968 Ingpen worked as a freelance designer, illustrator and author. He was also a member of a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
team in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
until 1975, where he designed pamphlets on fisheries and was involved in "a number of Australian conservation and environmental projects". He left the CSIRO to work full time as a freelance writer in 1968. Ingpen's interest in conservation issues continued, and he was one of the founding members of the Australian Conservation Foundation
Australian Conservation Foundation
The Australian Conservation Foundation is an Australian non-profit, community-based environmental organisation focused on advocacy, policy research and community outreach.-History:...
.
Work
Ingpen has written and/or-illustrated more than 100 published books. These include children's picture books and fictional stories for all ages. His nonfiction books mostly relate to history, conservation, environment and health issues.Ingpen has designed many postage stamps for Australia. Ingpen designed the flag and coat of arms for the Northern Territory
Flag of the Northern Territory
The current state flag of the Northern Territory was officially adopted by the Northern Territory, Australia in 1978. The Northern Territory has been in existence since 1911, but could not hoist its first flag until self-government in 1978.-History:...
. Ingpen has created a number of public murals in Geelong, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
and the Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. He also has designed bronze statues, which include the 'Poppykettle Fountain' in Geelong's Steam Packet Gardens (currently dry due to drought restrictions) and the bronze doors to the Melbourne Cricket Club
Melbourne Cricket Club
The Melbourne Cricket Club is a sporting club based in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1838 and is regarded as the oldest sporting club in Australia....
. His most recent work is the design and working drawings for a tapestry, which was woven by The Victorian Tapestry Workshop, to celebrate the 150 years of the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
.
In 1982 Ingpen designed the Dromkeen Medal
Dromkeen Medal
The Dromkeen Medal is a literary prize awarded annually by the Courtney Oldmeadow Children's Literature Foundation for those who have advanced children's literature in Australia.-List of prize winners:*1982 Lu Rees*1983 Maurice Saxby...
for the Governors of the Courtney Oldmeadow Children’s Literature Foundation. This medal is awarded annually to Australians in recognition of contributions to children's literature. He was awarded the medal in 1989 for his own work in the field.
Ingpen was illustrator for the centenary editions of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan and Wendy and Kenneth Grahame
Kenneth Grahame
Kenneth Grahame was a Scottish writer, most famous for The Wind in the Willows , one of the classics of children's literature. He also wrote The Reluctant Dragon; both books were later adapted into Disney films....
's The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows is a classic of children's literature by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternately slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animal characters in a pastoral version of England...
for which he bases characterisations on contemporary figures and personalities.
In 2007 Ingpen illustrated a picture book by Liz Lofthouse called Ziba Came on a Boat, which was nominated for many Australian awards including the Australian Children's Book Council Awards and the Western Australian Premier's Book Awards
Western Australian Premier's Book Awards
The Western Australian Premier's Book Awards is an award for books, scripts, digital narrative and a People's Choice. Awards are provided by the Government of Western Australia, and the awards process is managed by the State Library of Western Australia...
.
Exhibitions
In 1999 Ingpen had a major retrospective exhibition in TaipeiTaipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, which travelled to other regions of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
for a two-month period. Also in 1999 an exhibition of the original artworks and book launch for Around the World in 80 Days
Around the World in Eighty Days
Around the World in Eighty Days is a classic adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, first published in 1873. In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his newly employed French valet Passepartout attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days on a £20,000 wager set by his friends at the...
was held in London.
In 2002 Ingpen had a solo exhibition in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, and works from Shakespeare were exhibited in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
In 2002 Ingpen's work featured in the inaugural exhibition at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is a museum devoted to the art of the picture book and especially the children's book. It is a member of Museums10 and is adjacent to the campus of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, with the artwork from Charise Neugebauer's - Halloween Circus at the Graveyard Lawn, being donated to the Museum by Ingpen.
Awards
- Visual Arts Board award for children's book illustration for Storm Boy
- 1980 River Murray Mary was commended in the Children's Book of the Year awards
- 1980 Ditmar Australian Fiction Award for Australian Gnomes
- 1986 Hans Christian Andersen AwardHans Christian Andersen AwardThe Hans Christian Andersen Award, sometimes known as the "Nobel Prize for children's literature", is an international award given biennially by the International Board on Books for Young People in recognition of a "lasting contribution to children's literature"...
for children's literature illustration - 1989 Dromkeen MedalDromkeen MedalThe Dromkeen Medal is a literary prize awarded annually by the Courtney Oldmeadow Children's Literature Foundation for those who have advanced children's literature in Australia.-List of prize winners:*1982 Lu Rees*1983 Maurice Saxby...
- 2005 honorary doctorate of arts, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
- 2007 made a member of the Order of AustraliaOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
for "service to literature as an illustrator and author of children's books, to art design and education, and as a supporter of health care organisations."
Illustrations
- Storm Boy (1974) written by Colin ThieleColin ThieleColin Milton Thiele, AC was an Australian author and educator. He was renowned for his award-winning children's fiction, most notably the novels Storm Boy, Blue Fin, the Sun on the Stubble series, and February Dragon.- Biography :Thiele was born in Eudunda in South Australia to a Barossa German...
- The Runaway Punt (1976) written by Michael PageMichael PageMichael Harry Page is a former English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Derbyshire between 1964 and 1975.Page was born in Blackpool. He began his career with Nottinghamshire and Lancashire, for whom he played briefly for the Second XI, though it was with Derbyshire that he was to...
- The Australian countrywoman's cookbook (1977)
- Running the Brumbies: True Adventures of a Modern Bushman (1979) written by Colin Stone
- Lincoln’s Place (1978) written by Colin Thiele
- Chadwick’s Chimney (1979) written by Colin Thiele
- River Murray Mary (1979) written by Colin Thiele
- I Rhyme My Time: a Selection of Poems for Young People (1980) written by David MartinDavid Martin-Politicians:*David Martin , Republican party U.S. Representative from Nebraska *David Martin , Australian admiral and Governor of New South Wales...
- Turning Points in the Making of Australia (1980) text by Michael Page
- Night of the Muttonbirds (1981) written by Mary Small
- This Peculiar Colony (1981) written by Ronald Rose
- Clancy of the Overflow (1982) written by Banjo PatersonBanjo PatersonAndrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson, OBE was an Australian bush poet, journalist and author. He wrote many ballads and poems about Australian life, focusing particularly on the rural and outback areas, including the district around Binalong, New South Wales where he spent much of his childhood...
- Churchill Island (1982) text by Graham PizzeyGraham PizzeyGraham Martin Pizzey AM was a noted Australian author, photographer and ornithologist. He was born and grew up in Melbourne and was educated at Geelong Grammar School. After leaving school he worked in his family's leather business, while studying part-time and publishing articles and...
- Click Go the ShearsClick Go the Shears"Click Go the Shears" is a traditional Australian folk song. The song details a day's work for a sheep shearer in the days before machine shears. The enduring popularity of this song reflects the traditional role that the wool industry has played in Australian life...
(1986) - The Stolen White ElephantThe Stolen White Elephant"The Stolen White Elephant" is a short story written by Mark Twain and published in 1882 by James R. Osgood. In this short story an Indian elephant, en route from India to Britain as a gift to the Queen, disappears in New Jersey...
(1987) written by Mark TwainMark TwainSamuel Langhorne Clemens , better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist... - A Strange Expedition (1988) written by Mark Twain
- Child's Story (1988) written by Charles DickensCharles DickensCharles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
- A Christmas Tree (1988) written by Charles Dickens
- The Nargun and the StarsThe Nargun and The StarsThe Nargun and The Stars is a children's fantasy novel set in Australia, written by Patricia Wrightson. It was among the first Australian books for children to draw on Australian Aboriginal mythology...
(1988) written by Patricia WrightsonPatricia WrightsonPatricia Wrightson was an Australian author who wrote a number of highly regarded and influential children's books. Her reputation came to rest largely on her magic realist titles. Her books, including the widely praised The Nargun and The Stars , were among the first Australian books for children... - Peacetimes (1989) written by Katherine ScholesKatherine ScholesKatherine Anne Scholes is an Australian writer. She was born in the Dodoma Region of Tanzania where her parents were English missionaries, and spent most of her childhood there before moving to England and then Tasmania....
- The Great Deeds of Superheroes (1989) written by Maurice Saxby
- The Great Deeds of Heroic Women (1990) written by Maurice Saxby
- The Lands of the Bible (1992) written by Philip Wilkinson and Jacqueline Dineen
- The Magical East (1992) written by Philip WilkinsonPhilip WilkinsonPhilip Wilkinson is the author of non-fiction books for children and adults. He was educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He worked as an editor prior to becoming an author....
and Michael Pollard - The Master Builders (1992) written by Philip Wilkinson and Michael Pollard
- The Mediterranean (1992) written by Philip Wilkinson and Jacqueline Dineen
- Brahminy : the Story of a Boy and a Sea Eagle (c1995) written by Colin Thiele
- The Drover’s Boy (1997) written by Ted EganTed EganEdward Joseph Egan AO is an Australian folk musician, and was a public servant who served as Administrator of the Northern Territory from 2003 to 2007.-Early life:...
- Jacob, the Boy from Nuremberg (1998) written by Enjar Agertoft
- The Poppykettle PapersThe Poppykettle PapersThe Poppykettle Papers is a children's book written in 1999 by Michael Lawrence and illustrated by Robert R. Ingpen.The story follows mythical, ancient, Peruvian gnomes whose story is discovered in the modern day by two boys who find The Poppykettle Papers.- Background :In 1980, Robert Ingpen...
(1999) written by Michael Lawrence - Who is the World For? (2000) written by Tom Pow
- The Tapestry Story : Celebrating 150 Years of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (2003) written by Keith DunstanKeith DunstanKeith Dunstan OAM is an Australian journalist and author born in Melbourne, Australia, the son of William Dunstan VC and Marjorie Dunstan. He attended Geelong Grammar School and was a Flight Lieutenant in 1943-46 with the Royal Australian Air Force, stationed at Labuan in the Pacific...
- The Wizard’s Book of Spells (2003) written by Beatrice Phillpotts
- The Magic Crystal (ca. 2003) written by Brigitte Weninger
- Peter Pan and Wendy (2004) written by J.M. Barrie
- Treasure Island (2005) written by Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
- The Jungle Book (2006) written by Rudyard KiplingRudyard KiplingJoseph Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist chiefly remembered for his celebration of British imperialism, tales and poems of British soldiers in India, and his tales for children. Kipling received the 1907 Nobel Prize for Literature...
- Mustara (2007) written by Rosanne Hawke
- The Wind in the Willows (2007) written by Kenneth Grahame
- Ziba came on a boat (2008) written by Liz Lofthouse
- A Christmas carol and A Christmas tree (2008) written by Charles Dickens
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (2009) written by Lewis CarrollLewis CarrollCharles Lutwidge Dodgson , better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll , was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the...
Fiction writing
- The Voyage of the PoppykettleThe Voyage of the PoppykettleThe Voyage of the Poppykettle is a 1980 children's book about a group of "hairy Peruvians" setting out from Peru to discover Australia...
(1980) - The Unchosen Land (1981)
- Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes in Between (1983) written with Bryan Mellonie
- The Great Bullocky Race (1984) written with Michael Page
- The Idle Bear (1986)
- Out of This World : the Complete Book of Fantasy (1986) written with Michael Page
- The Age of Acorns (1988)
- The Dreamkeeper : a Letter from Robert Ingpen to his Granddaughter Alice Elizabeth (1995)
- The Afternoon Treehouse (1996)
- Folk Tales & Fables of Asia & Australia (1992) co-written with Barbara Hayes
- Once Upon a Place (1999)
- A Bear Tale (2000)
- The Rare Bear (2004)
Non-fiction writing
- In Pastures Green : the Story of the Presbyterian Church, Sale, Gippsland, Victoria. (c1954)
- Pioneers of wool (1972)
- Pioneer Settlement in Australia (1973)
- Robe : a Portrait of the Past (1975)
- Don Dunstan’s Cookbook (1976)
- Paradise and beyond : Tasmania (1978) co-written with N.C.K. Evers
- Australian Gnomes (1979)
- Marking time : Australia’s Abandoned Buildings (1979)
- Australia’s Heritage Watch : an Overview of Australian Conservation (1981)
- Aussie battlers (1982) written with Michael Page
- Australian Inventions and Innovations (1982) co-authored with Sally Carruthers ... [et al.]
- Colonial South Australia : its people and buildings (1985) text by Michael Page
- Worldly dogs (1986), written with Michael Page
- The making of Australians (1987), co-authored with Michael Page
- Conservation (1987) co-authored with Margaret Dunkle
- Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were: Creatures, Places, and People (1987 ), co-authored with Michael Page
- A Celebration of Customs & Rituals of the World (1994) co-written with Philip Wilkinson
- Encyclopedia of Mysterious Places : the Life and Legends of Ancient Sites Around the World (1990), co-written with Philip Wilkinson
- In the Wake of the Mary Celeste (c2004), co-authored with Gary CrewGary Crew-Life:Gary Crew was born in Brisbane, Queensland on 23 September 1947. An illness during childhood kept him home from school but enabled him to develop an interest in reading adventure stories....
- Imprints of Generations (2006)
- The Boy from Bowral : the Story of Sir Donald Bradman (2007)