biography

Bruce Fletcher was born in Melbourne in 1937.

Studies: RMIT, National Gallery School, Prahran Technical College, Caulfield Technical College, Gordon Institute of Technology, privately under Sir William Dargie C.B.E. for 4 years, Melbourne High School and the Technical Teachers College and in 1963 Bruce had an overseas study tour.

Bruce has held positions at the following institutions:
Artist in Residence Geelong Grammar School 1960-62; Head of Painting at CIT 1968; Head of Art Department Wesley College 1974-75; Education Department of Victoria.

Bruce’s first solo exhibitions were held at the Athenaeum Gallery in 1961-1962, from which paintings were selected for the National Collection and for later presentation to HRH Prince Charles. He has since held many exhibitions throughout Australia, including shows at the Hamilton City Art Gallery, Benalla City Art Gallery, Charterisville Gallery and Kew Gallery.

In 1967 Bruce was appointed official war artist in Vietnam where, despite being badly wounded, he remained to document the war. His paintings are on display in the collection of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

He has been commissioned to paint portraits of many leading political, civic, academic and commercial personalities in Australia including Sir Russell Grimswade, Sir Henry Bolte, Theodore Fink, Sir Harry Chauvel and Major-General Sir Alan Ramsay.

His work has won many awards and prizes and he is represented in Buckingham Palace, London; National Collection, Canberra; Australian War Memorial, Canberra; Benalla and Rockhampton Galleries; Monash University; Melbourne University; Herald and Weekly Times; Scotch College; The Naval and Military Club; and many institutional, company and private collections in Australia and overseas.