Robert Ingpen
, b. 1936
Robert Ingpen is an internationally renowned illustrator, graphic designer and writer, publishing over 100 books. Born in Geelong, Victoria, in 1936, he studied art at RMIT. He worked as a graphic designer at the CSIRO before becoming a freelance illustrator and designer in 1968. In 1986 he received the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest accolade in the field of children’s literature. Patricia Wrightson also received the award that year, and they remain the only Australians recipients. In 2000 Walker Books commissioned Ingpen to illustrate a series of children’s classics, most recently The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (2010), The Secret Garden (2010) and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (2011).
He has contributed to numerous public projects, including designing postage stamps for the Captain Cook Bicentenary and the 50th anniversary of the CSIRO, the Northern Territory flag and coat of arms, and the Dromkeen Medal. His style is imaginative and dreamlike, reflecting his interest in both fantasy and the natural environment. He was also a founding member of the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Bio prepared by Miriam Riverlea, University of New England, mriverlea@gmail.com
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