Sam Atyeo

Samuel Laurence Atyeo (6 January 1910 – 26 May 1990) was an Australian painter, designer and diplomat. Atyeo was active in Melbourne's modernist movement in the 1930s and was associated with the Heide circle. He later had a diplomatic career working under Herbert Evatt, and was noted for his unconventional approach to the work. He 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. Atyeo's art and design work made a considerable contribution to modernism in Australia, and his painting "Organised Line to Yellow" is considered Australia's first abstract painting.

Biography

Early life and artistic career

Sam Atyeo was born in Brunswick, Melbourne in 1910. His parents were Alfred Vincent Atyeo, a chauffeur, and Olivia Beatrice Victoria (née Cohen). During his childhood, Atyeo suffered long periods of illness which allowed him time to practice drawing. He 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. While studying, Atyeo became romantically involved with fellow art student Moya Dyring.

In 1932, Atyeo attracted controversy for his submission for the NGV Art School's travelling scholarship. The two also had a romantic relationship that reportedly produced a daughter, Jinx, who was adopted by Sidney Nolan. Aside from painting, Atyeo was active in industrial design and architecture, including designing a cocktail bar for the Hotel Australia with Reed and Ward. His time with Cynthia Reed led him to meet and establish a life-long friendship with politician and art patron H. V. Evatt. Reed also introduced Atyeo to her brother and sister-in law, art patrons John and Sunday Reed.

"Organised Line to Yellow" In 1933, Atyeo painted "Organised Line to Yellow" which is believed to be Australia's first abstract painting.

"Organised Line to Yellow" was first exhibited in 1934 at the Contemporary Art Group exhibition.

Time in Europe In 1936, using money earned from redesigning a facade on Flinders Lane, Atyeo moved to Paris. In 1939, Atyeo moved with Dyring, who had also moved to Europe, to a farm in Vence. Following the German invasion of France, the couple moved to Barbados where they married in 1941. He became Australia's delegate on the Balkans committee in 1948. Atyeo's appointment and his qualifications for this position were publicly questioned by opposition politicians, including Eric Harrison, and the Commonwealth Public Service Clerical Association.

Atyeo's marriage to Dyring fell apart in 1948 and they divorced. Winston Churchill reportedly called Atyeo the world's most foul-mouthed diplomat.

He died in Vence on 26 May 1990. While a student, he discovered the work of Paul Klee and was greatly influenced by it. His interest in European art movements set him apart from his contemporaries. He independently sought out information about overseas artists from imported books and journals from Melbourne bookshops and the Reed's collection.

He approached furniture design with an emphasis on the harmony of the colour, design and utility and placed a great importance on functionality.

Atyeo's later work was more lyrical and experimental in form and colour.