F. Millward Grey Explained

Frederick Millward Grey (5 August 1899 – 1957), generally called "Millward Grey", was an English painter, etcher and art teacher who had a substantial career in South Australia.

History

Grey studied under Gerald Spencer Pryse, at the Central School of Art in London, and arrived in Adelaide in 1923 to take up a position with Fred C. Britton's North Adelaide School of Fine Arts, Tynte Street, North Adelaide. Grey and Britton held a joint exhibition in November 1924 which was well received. His sketches were used in the design of the War Memorial on North Terrace.^[1] He succeeded Britton as director of the School of Fine Arts. Nora Heysen was a notable student.^[2] In 1939 he stood for the Robe ward of the Adelaide City Council, but was defeated by H. G. Willcox.^[3] Grey was acting principal of the South Australian School of Arts and Crafts during John Goodchild's absence, and appointed to the position in 1946,^[4] and served (later title: Director of the South Australian School of Art) until 1956. He was a member of the Royal South Australian Society of Arts and in 1953 he was elected president after outgoing president Goodchild controversially named him as his fitting successor. He served as President 1953–1956.

Some works

• In 1935 Grey and The News cartoonist J. L. "Jack" Quayle shared first prize for a sketch commemorating South Australia's Centenary.^[5] Around this time he and John Goodchild were commissioned by the South Australian Tourist Bureau to produce a series of lithographed posters which were extensively used on railway station billboards and elsewhere.^[6]
• He had a major role in the design of South Australia's Coat of Arms, granted in 1936,^[7] replaced in 1984.^[8]
• A large mural version of a design by Grey of Piccadilly Circus, commissioned by the theatre owner Dan Clifford,^[9] reproduced by Frank Hussey, adorned the wall above the circle staircase of the Piccadilly Theatre in North Adelaide when it opened in 1941.^[10] The mural was later painted over, but was rediscovered during the 2022 renovation of the cinema.^{[11] [12]}
• He designed the silver tea and coffee service made by the Kenwrick brothers as a wedding gift from South Australia to the Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh^[13] and the ceremonial chairs used by the royal couple during their official visit in 1954.^[14]
• He designed the cairn and plaque memorial for Daisy Bates at Ooldea, South Australia.^[15]

Family

Millward Grey married Beatrice Helen Fisher on 3 January 1929, and lived in Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide. Their son David, father to Kendall and Kent, was born on 24 September 1933.

Notes and References

1. News: State War Memorial . . Adelaide . 17 February 1928 . 16 February 2015 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
2. News: Nora Heysen's Art . . Adelaide . 12 April 1930 . 16 February 2015 . 20 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: New Councils Elected Throughout State . . Adelaide . 3 July 1939 . 16 February 2015 . 20 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: New Chief of School of Arts . . Adelaide . 30 March 1946 . 16 February 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: Centenary Prize . . Adelaide . 20 June 1935 . 16 February 2015 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
6. Web site: South Australian highlights : tourism posters. National Library of Australia. 11 February 2015. Morialta Falls poster by Millward Grey
7. The design may be recognised by its supporters: a man with fleece and shears and woman with cornucopia and sheaf of barley, and motto "Faith and Courage"
8. News: Coat of Arms for South Australia . . Adelaide . 28 December 1936 . 16 February 2015 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: Passing By . . XXXV . 5,364 . South Australia . 3 October 1940 . 13 December 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: How new theatre got its name . . XXXV . 5,380 . South Australia . 22 October 1940 . 12 December 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
11. Web site: Worthington . Em . A cinema for the ages . . 1 November 2021 . 11 December 2022.
12. Web site: Keen . Suzie . Then and now: Piccadilly Cinema enters a new era . . 2 December 2022 . 5 December 2022.
13. News: Wedding Gift Of S.A. Silver For Princess Elizabeth . . Adelaide . 14 August 1947 . 16 February 2015 . 23 . National Library of Australia.
14. News: Craftsman of Education Department are Building Chairs for Royal Couple . . Adelaide . 16 January 1954 . 16 February 2015 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
15. News: Memorials To Mrs. Daisy Bates . . Adelaide . 20 December 1951 . 16 February 2015 . 33 . National Library of Australia.