Erwin Fabian, son of famed painter Max Fabian, was born in Berlin. In 1938, he fled to London because he was Jewish and was sent to Australia on the Dunera when war broke out. In Australia, Fabian joined the Australian army where he produced illustrations and cover designs for army publications.

Oscillating between London and Australia, Fabian built a reputation as one of the country’s finest sculptors. His sculptures are cast from scrap metal, strangely evoking the human despite their abstract forms. In this charming drawing, however, he turns to cats.

From the private collection of famed writer and curator Ursula Hoff, this two-sided work bristles with personality. Erwin’s cats are sculptural – a cityscape of felines perched unhappily on podiums. Here, herding cats is an industrial affair.

For connoisseurs of Australian artists, this delightful work will make you the collector that got the Fabian.

Erwin FABIAN (1915 - 2020)
'Untitled (A sheet of cat drawings)' 1981
ink on paper front and verso
Image Size: 30 x 21 cm
Dimensions: 30 x 21 cm
Signed: Signed and dated lower right: E. Fabian ‘81
Comes with Letter of Provenance
 
Condition: Good: There are no tears to the paper but some specks of discolouration. Paper is aged with scribbled out blue pen on the front side's left margin, reflecting its life as a beloved doodle. For more images, feel welcome to reach out. 

  
© The Artist or Assignee