Martin Sharp AM (b. 1942) is a printmaker, painter, cartoonist, designer, songwriter and film-maker. Born in Sydney, Sharp was founding co-editor with Richard Neville and Richard Walsh of Oz magazine, contributing humorous and often lewd cartoons to the controversial journal. When he and Neville re-located Oz to London, Sharp continued as art director, producing psychedelic rock-star and 'legalise pot' posters that were sold through the magazine. For a time he lived with Eric Clapton, collaborating with him on song lyrics and designing album covers for his band, Cream. Returning to Australia in 1969 Sharp helped set up the 'Yellow House', an artists' space at Potts Point in Sydney which became a focus of the underground art scene of the 1960s. Sharp is well known for his poster designs for the Nimrod theatre in the 1970s, and for his obsessions with Tiny Tim, toys and Luna Park.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003
© William Yang
Accession number: 2003.117
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On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Artists Garry Shead and Martin Sharp recount their friendship and the creation of Martin's portrait.
An interview with photographer William Yang who recalls his encounters with the author Patrick White.
An interview with Australian artist and collector of quirky artefacts, Martin Sharp.
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