Design and Art Australia Online

Bert Flugelman was born in Vienna, where as a child he haunted museums and art galleries near his grandmother’s home. Once he sheltered from a rainstorm in the gallery for Secessionist art, and became entranced by Schiele, Kokoschka, and Klimt. His life changed in 1938 when the Anschluss led to Hitler’s Germany annexing Austria, and he fled.
Flugelman was a 15 year old refugee, with no English when he came to Australia, so took labouring jobs in the bush. Later he enlisted as a non-combattant in the Australian army. At the end of the war he considered his future, and thought again of art. Supported by the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme he studied painting at East Sydney Technical College under Frank Hinder. At the end of his course Flugelman and his wife Rosemary travelled to Europe for adventure and exposure to art. He was struck down by poliomyelitis and fled to London for medical care at the Fever Hospital. He later credited that experience with making him take painting seriously.
After he recovered they traveled to New York, where he discovered a love of making sculpture. He continued so paint for some years, but it is as a sculptor that he has made his greatest impact.

Writers:

Date written:

2012

Last updated:

2012