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Macmillan to publish Hirschfeld-Mack bio
Two former language teachers, Resi Schwarzbauer and Felicity Renowden, have signed a contract with Macmillan Art Publishing to publish a biography of Art master Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack.
A student of the influential Bauhaus University in Weimar, Germany, Hirschfeld-Mack fled the Nazis in 1936 and was deported to Australia from England aboard the HMT Dunera in 1940, spending time in internment camps in Hay, Orange and Tatura.
His release from detention was secured through the intercession of Sir James Darling, who appointed Hirschfeld-Mack as the School's Art master (1942-57).
'Dr Hirschfeld', as he was known at the School, was held in high regard by students and staff alike, and proved to be an inspirational teacher, consistently propounding the Bauhaus principles of self-knowledge, economy of material and form, and reform of society through art.
Having conducted a number of notable experiments in light projection at the Bauhaus, he also introduced the boys to such things as colour-coded guitars and colour organs.
He was also a guest lecturer at the University of Melbourne, which now holds the Ludwig Hirschfeld Mack Collection of over 600 works, including drawings, prints, watercolous and paintings.
His work can also be found at the National Gallery of Australia and the Shepparton Regional Art Gallery.
He is celebrated by the School through the Hirschfeld Mack Centre, which was opened in 2003, and widely recognized for playing a significant role in the development of art education in Australia in the modern era.
Macmillan Art Publishing has offered the authors a publishing agreement which, due to the high costs of production and relatively small local market, is contingent upon the provision of some financial subsidy to assist with printing and binding.
While Macmillan will attend to editing, designing, promoting, warehousing and distributing both nationally and internationally, some assistance is required to achieve this major publishing project at the level of production it deserves.
For expressions of interest or support for the biography project please contact Felicity Renowden via email: felicity_renowden@yahoo.com.au.