GEORGE CLAESSEN

George Claessen, born in 1909 in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), was a prolific artist whose journey in the world of art began at the age of 29 when he joined the Port Commission in Colombo as a Draughtsman. Claessen quickly made a name for himself as a member of the influential 43 Group. His talent was first showcased in the 1946 publication 'Jataka,' a collection of his drawings edited by Ian Goonetileke, which received high praise for its enduring qualities. 

Claessen's art was diverse, drawing inspiration from Chinese brush drawings, Japanese woodcuts, and European draughtsmanship. His work was characterised by subtle intimacy and a suggestive use of line, capturing form and movement with finesse. In the late 1940s, Claessen moved to Melbourne, where he ventured into abstract painting before relocating to London. His artistic prowess shone at international exhibitions, notably at the Venice Biennale in 1956 and the Messeu de Arte Moderna in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1959, where he received an award. He continued to exhibit globally, including a solo exhibition at the New Vision Centre Gallery in London in 1962. Apart from his visual art, Claessen was also a published poet, releasing two books, 'Poems of a Painter' in 1967 and 'Poems about Nothing' in 1981.