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Rudy Komon (1908-1982) was an art dealer and gallery director. After working as a journalist in Czechoslovakia, where he served with the Czech resistance during the war, he emigrated to Sydney and opened an antique store. In 1958 he converted a former wine shop in Woollahra into an art gallery. His instinct for European marketing techniques was a revelation and a gift to Australian artists. Through promoting their work, he significantly influenced the careers of several generations of painters, including John Brack, Jon Molvig, John Olsen, Fred Williams, William Dobell, Russell Drysdale, Sydney Nolan, Arthur Boyd and Brett Whiteley. A generous benefactor to art institutions, Komon was also a legendary entertainer, and a serious connoisseur of Australian wines. The Rudy Komon Memorial Perpetual Trophy is awarded annually at the Sydney Royal Wine Show.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
© Lewis Morley Archive LLC
Lewis Morley (49 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Magda Keaney speaks with Lewis Morley about his photographic career and the major retrospective of his work on display at the NPG.
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