1. Samuel Laurence Atyeo was an Australian painter, designer and diplomat.
25 Facts About Sam Atyeo
1. 2.
Sam Atyeo later had a diplomatic career working under Herbert Evatt, and was noted for his unconventional approach to the work.
3.
Sam Atyeo gave up both artistic and diplomatic work in the 1950s and spent the rest of his life farming in France with occasional returns to painting.
4.
Sam Atyeo's parents were Alfred Vincent Atyeo, a chauffeur, and Olivia Beatrice Victoria.
5.
Sam Atyeo studied at the Working Men's College and the National Gallery of Victoria Art School, where he was tutored by William Beckwith McInnes and Lindsay Bernard Hall.
6.
In 1932, Sam Atyeo attracted controversy for his submission for the NGV Art School's travelling scholarship.
7.
Sam Atyeo became a designer at Cynthia Reed's shop and would exhibit his paintings there.
8.
John Reed was impressed by Sam Atyeo and encouraged him to become part of their circle.
9.
In 1933, Sam Atyeo painted "Organised Line to Yellow" which is believed to be Australia's first abstract painting.
10.
The painting resembles the work of Paul Klee although Sam Atyeo was not familiar with Klee at the time.
11.
Sam Atyeo said he created the painting after listening to Bach's Double Violin Concerto at a time when he exploring the relationship between music and art.
12.
In 1936, using money earned from redesigning a facade on Flinders Lane, Sam Atyeo moved to Paris.
13.
In France, Sam Atyeo spent time with fellow Melburnian Louise Hanson-Dyer and frequently attended her salon.
14.
Sam Atyeo met refugees from the Spanish Civil War which influenced his socialist views and resulted in the production of Republican propaganda posters.
15.
In 1939, Sam Atyeo moved with Dyring, who had moved to Europe, to a farm in Vence.
16.
In 1945, Sam Atyeo was stationed in Paris as the second secretary for the Australian legation and in 1947 assisted John Hood with UN special committees on the Balkans and Palestine.
17.
Sam Atyeo notably opposed the partitioning of Palestine, reportedly saying Palestine should be given "back to the Turks with a substantial bonus to them for taking it".
18.
Sam Atyeo became Australia's delegate on the Balkans committee in 1948.
19.
Sam Atyeo was dismissed from the diplomatic service in 1950 after his sponsor Evatt lost his position in government following the 1949 election.
20.
Edwards described Sam Atyeo as having served "principally to entertain Evatt and boost his ego".
21.
Sam Atyeo started to paint again in 1960 but rarely exhibited his work.
22.
Sam Atyeo has been described as being "the most articulate proponent of modernism in Australia" during the early 1930s.
23.
Sam Atyeo independently sought out information about overseas artists from imported books and journals from Melbourne bookshops and the Reed's collection.
24.
Sam Atyeo displayed an intellectual engagement with artistic theory, often referencing Schopenhauer, Roger Fry, Clive Bell and Hegel.
25.
Sam Atyeo approached furniture design with an emphasis on the harmony of the colour, design and utility and placed a great importance on functionality.