Collection: Clem Millward

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Clement “Clem” Millward (b. 1929, Melbourne) spent his childhood in Western Australia before moving to Sydney to study art. He attended East Sydney Technical School and later the Julian Ashton Art School, where he trained alongside some of Australia’s leading emerging artists. In the early 1950s, Millward was awarded a scholarship to study at the Nicolae Grigorescu Institute of Plastic Arts in Bucharest, Romania, immersing himself in European art and printmaking traditions.

Returning to Australia, he worked various jobs, including as a waterside labourer, while painting, drawing, and developing his distinctive style. Millward became widely recognised for his evocative depictions of the Australian bush, capturing its light, textures, and atmosphere with great sensitivity. His landscapes often reveal a deep connection to the rugged beauty of rural Australia.

Over his career, he exhibited widely and achieved significant recognition, including being a finalist in the Archibald and Sulman Prizes and winning the prestigious Wynne Prize in 1973. His work is represented in major public and private collections, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and remains celebrated for its ability to convey both the physical presence and emotional resonance of the Australian landscape.