biography

Edward J. Berry was born in Melbourne in 1932, and throughout his childhood displayed a strong interest in drawing and painting.

After completing his formal schooling he studies charcoal drawing and oil painting at the National Gallery of Victoria under Sir William Dargie, and then in 1952 undertook a three year “certificate of Art” course at the Swinburne Technical College under Laurence Scott Pendlebury. After gaining his Certificate he continued to pursue his interest in art, attending classes under George Bell and Rex Bramleigh, and receiving his introduction to “plein air” painting by going on field trips with watercolourist Alistair Gray.

It was a cause for much regret that at this period of his life it was not possible for him to continue with his painting, and it was almost twenty years before he was able to realise his ambition to paint on a full-time basis.

A chance meeting with Victorian watercolourist Ernest Vogel led to the formation of a firm friendship and many painting trips together in to the beautiful Yarra Valley, where Edward found himself greatly influenced by the enthusiasm and encouragement so generously given by his fellow artist who strongly believed that there was no substitute for “plein air” painting. At this stage of his career the Australian landscape with its wonderful atmosphere and ever-changing light was his inspiration and oil was his medium.

The offer to teach at Victoria College’s Burwood campus changed that, as pastel classes were included in the curriculum. The pastel medium became his new challenge, one in which he became more and more involved and one which opened a completely different avenue of expression. It offered the opportunity of doing the sort of painting he enjoyed the most – being surrounded by the colour and atmosphere of whatever the subject matter happened to be; whether in the solitude of the hills and deserted coastal inlets, or part of the bustle of the docks and city.

Edward feels that “painting is an ongoing learning experience – the next painting is always going to be better. By the time I have completed a painting I am already planning in my mind the means by which I hope to improve the next one.”