AUSTRALIAN COLONIAL FURNITURE with Kevin Fahy

There is almost nothing in The Johnston Collection which is of Australian origin. Willina Johnston was known to be rather intolerant of things Australian- he was, after all, an Anglophile. It was, of course, the style of the times.

However, Australia in its colonial period naturally copied European styles but often did it with an interesting twist and produced some superlative things using native timbers who would not succumb to the magic of Australian Cedar, Huon Pine, Tasmanian Blackwood or even Silly Oak from Queensland. Kevin Fahy, recognised as one of Australia’s foremost experts of Australian furniture, will bring great insight, enthusiasm and inspiration to a subject of interest to all Australian collectors.

Kevin Fahy was the co-author with Clifford Craig and E Graeme Robertson of Early Colonial Furniture in New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land (1972) and with Christina and Andrew Simpson of Nineteenth Century Australian Furniture (1985), the definitive study of the subject.

He has been a contributor to other books and publications on Australian furniture, silver, ceramics and jewellery. An Honorary Associate of the Museum of Applied Science, Sydney, and Honorary Life Member of the National Trust of Australia (NSW), he is an active member of several historical, restoration and preservation organisations, and is well known as the editor of Australiana, the journal of the Australian Society of which he is a foundation member.

His lectures and article in various journal and magazines over the past four decades have greatly encourages the present public awareness and appreciation of Australia colonial decorative arts.