13 May 2009

Adventist artist awarded OAM

Armidale, New South Wales
Margaret Miller Krejci/Armidale Express

Melvin Duffy, an Adventist artist, was the recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division (OAM) in the 2009 Australia Day Awards.

Mr Duffy began creating art at the age of four, after drinking a bottle of kerosene and becoming very ill. "I became like a skeleton," he says. His mother, who enjoyed art, encouraged him to draw pictures as his health improved. He opened his first "art gallery" in the backyard toilet on the farm where his family lived.

Mr Duffy graduated from Avondale College's arts course in 1951, where he studied under Howard Totenhofer, and has spent almost 50 years working full-time on his art. His work is primarily focused on traditional Australian landscapes and, in recent years, has also included a heritage focus.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show has provided the most exposure for Mr Duffy's works, which have been exhibited there since 1959. This has resulted in winning the "Popular (People's) Choice Award" at the show 12 times, most recently in 2008.

Mr Duffy has won more than 80 individual awards for his work, including the Macleay Valley Heritage Award and NSW Conservation Award. "I love Australia. My work's all over the world now and people can see Australian and rural scenery," Mr Duffy told the Armidale Express.

Mr Duffy supports a number of charities, church and state schools through the proceeds of his art.

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