{{Short description|Australian artist and diplomat (1910–1990)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person | name = Sam Atyeo | image = Sam Atyeo at Yosemite National Park (cropped).jpg | caption = Atyeo at Yosemite National Park in 1945 | birth_name = Samuel Lawrence Atyeo | birth_date = {{Birth date|1910|01|06}} | birth_place = Brunswick, Victoria, Australia | death_date = {{Death date and age|1990|05|26|1910|01|06}} | death_place = Vence, France | alma_mater = National Gallery of Victoria Art School | occupation = {{hlist|Artist|designer|diplomat}} | notable_works = "Organised Line to Yellow" | movement = Modernism | spouse = {{Unbulleted list | Moya Dyring (married 1941–1948) | Anne Lecoultre (married 1950–1990) }} }}
'''Samuel Laurence Atyeo''' (6 January 1910 – 26 May 1990) was an Australian painter, designer and diplomat. Atyeo was active in Melbourne's modernist movement in the 1930s and was associated with the Heide circle. He later had a diplomatic career working under Herbert Evatt, and was noted for his unconventional approach to the work. He gave up both artistic and diplomatic work in the 1950s and spent the rest of his life farming in France with occasional returns to painting. Atyeo's art and design work made a considerable contribution to modernism in Australia, and his painting "Organised Line to Yellow" is considered Australia's first abstract painting.
== Biography ==
=== Early life and artistic career === thumb|Sam Atyeo wearing a monkey costume at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School in 1930 Sam Atyeo was born in Brunswick, Melbourne in 1910. His parents were Alfred Vincent Atyeo, a chauffeur, and Olivia Beatrice Victoria (née Cohen). During his childhood, Atyeo suffered long periods of illness which allowed him time to practice drawing.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |last=Mandel |first=Daniel |title=Atyeo, Samuel Laurence (Sam) (1910–1990) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/atyeo-samuel-laurence-sam-12154 |work=Australian Dictionary of Biography |place=Canberra |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |language=en |access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref> He studied at the Working Men's College and the National Gallery of Victoria Art School, where he was tutored by William Beckwith McInnes and Lindsay Bernard Hall.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=McCulloch |first1=Alan |url=http://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofau01mccu |title=Encyclopedia of Australian art |last2=Nodrum |first2=Charles |date=1984 |publisher=Hutchinson of Australia |isbn=978-0-09-148240-4 |location=Victoria |pages=54 |language=en}}</ref> While studying, Atyeo became romantically involved with fellow art student Moya Dyring.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Stewart |first=Meg |url=http://archive.org/details/margaretolleyfar0000stew |title=Margaret Olley: far from a still life |date=2005 |publisher=Random House Australia |isbn=978-1-74051-314-2 |location=Milsons Point, N.S.W |pages=218–219 |language=en}}</ref>
In 1932, Atyeo attracted controversy for his submission for the NGV Art School's travelling scholarship.<ref name=":2" /> He was dismayed by the gallery director Hall's adherence to realism as well as his teaching style. Atyeo's submission, an abstract painting titled ''A Gentle Admonition'', depicted a caricature of Hall with two nude female students. Hall was offended by the painting's style and perceived it as an attack on his teaching.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Haese |first=Richard |url=http://archive.org/details/rebelsprecursors00haes |title=Rebels and precursors: the revolutionary years of Australian art |date=1982 |publisher=Allen Lane |isbn=978-0-7139-1362-0 |location=London |pages=19–21 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Hall refused to display the painting in the scholarship exhibition, reasoning that the painting did not meet style regulations.<ref name=":3" /> The painting was then displayed at furniture designer Frederick Ward's shop on Collins Street.<ref name=":1" />
Atyeo became a designer at Cynthia Reed's shop and would exhibit his paintings there.<ref name=":1" /> Reed organised Atyeo's first exhibition in 1933 and helped him gain commercial commissions.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bogle |first=Michael |url=http://archive.org/details/designinaustrali0000bogl |title=Design in Australia, 1880–1970 |date=1998 |publisher=Craftsman House : G+B Arts International |isbn=978-90-5703-461-9 |location=Sydney |pages=70 |language=en}}</ref> The two also had a romantic relationship that reportedly produced a daughter, Jinx, who was adopted by Sidney Nolan.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Coote |first=Maree |url=http://archive.org/details/melbournebookhis0000coot |title=The Melbourne Book : a history of now |date=2010 |publisher=Gingerbread Books |isbn=978-0-9757047-5-2 |location=Port Melbourne |pages=189}}</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Cuthbert |first=Gaynor Patricia |title=Changing the Landscape: The Life and Art of Moya Dyring |date=October 2002 |degree=Master of Arts |publisher=University of Melbourne |url=https://minerva-access.unimelb.edu.au/bitstream/handle/11343/37482/285612_CUTHBERT%20file%20properties.pdf?sequence=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Philip |date=22 February 2002 |title=England made me |work=Australian Financial Review|url=https://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=AFNR000020111228dy2m017xh&cat=a&ep=ASE |access-date=25 April 2022}}</ref> Aside from painting, Atyeo was active in industrial design and architecture, including designing a cocktail bar for the Hotel Australia with Reed and Ward.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Stephen |first1=Ann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R-zpAAAAMAAJ |title=Modernism & Australia: Documents on Art, Design and Architecture 1917–1967 |last2=McNamara |first2=Andrew |last3=Goad |first3=Philip |date=2006 |publisher=Miegunyah Press |isbn=978-0-522-85289-9 |pages=186 |language=en}}</ref> His time with Cynthia Reed led him to meet and establish a life-long friendship with politician and art patron H. V. Evatt.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Citation |last=Bolton |first=G. C. |title=Evatt, Herbert Vere (Bert) (1894–1965) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/evatt-herbert-vere-bert-10131 |work=Australian Dictionary of Biography |place=Canberra |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |language=en |access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref> Reed also introduced Atyeo to her brother and sister-in law, art patrons John and Sunday Reed.<ref name=":3" /> John Reed was impressed by Atyeo and encouraged him to become part of their circle.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> Atyeo had an affair with Sunday at the same time that John had an affair with Dyring. Despite this, Dyring and Atyeo stayed together.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 October 2004 |title=Creative heart |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/creative-heart-20041002-gdjubl.html |access-date=23 April 2022 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>
=== "Organised Line to Yellow" === In 1933, Atyeo painted "Organised Line to Yellow" which is believed to be Australia's first abstract painting.<ref name=":1" /> The painting resembles the work of Paul Klee although Atyeo was not familiar with Klee at the time.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> He said he created the painting after listening to Bach's Double Violin Concerto at a time when he exploring the relationship between music and art.<ref name=":0" /> The painting was a breakthrough in Atyeo's work. After completing it, he wrote to the Reeds saying: "I have risked everything, have burnt every bridge. I have painted an abstract big picture. I think it nearly very good, it may be terribly good".<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Harding |first=Lesley |title=Modern love : The Lives of John & Sunday Reed |date=2015 |publisher=Melbourne University Publishing |others=Kendrah Morgan |isbn=978-0-522-86282-9 |location=Carlton, Victoria |oclc=927412025}}</ref>
"Organised Line to Yellow" was first exhibited in 1934 at the Contemporary Art Group exhibition.<ref name=":6" /> The work greatly impressed John Reed who purchased it and hung it above the fireplace at Heide.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Burke |first=Janine |title=Australian gothic : A Life of Albert Tucker |date=2002 |publisher=Knopf |isbn=1-74051-092-5 |location=Milsons Point, NSW |pages=156 |oclc=49817275}}</ref>
=== Time in Europe === In 1936, using money earned from redesigning a facade on Flinders Lane, Atyeo moved to Paris.<ref name=":3" /> In France, Atyeo spent time with fellow Melburnian <!-- Correct spelling is Melburnian not Melbournian. --> Louise Hanson-Dyer and frequently attended her salon.<ref name=":1" /> Hanson-Dyer commissioned him to design covers for her music publishing press.<ref name=":0" /> He met refugees from the Spanish Civil War which influenced his socialist views and resulted in the production of Republican propaganda posters.<ref name=":1" /> Through the posters, Atyeo came into contact with Picasso, Robert Delaunay and Fernand Léger.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Phipps |first=Jennifer |date=1981 |title=Sam Atyeo |journal=Art and Australia |volume=19 |pages=170–175 |issn=0004-301X}}</ref> In 1939, Atyeo moved with Dyring, who had also moved to Europe, to a farm in Vence. Following the German invasion of France, the couple moved to Barbados where they married in 1941.<ref name=":4" />
=== Diplomatic career === [[File:Australian delegate group at Yosemite National Park (cropped).jpg|thumb|Sam Atyeo (''second from left'') with H. V. Evatt (''far right'') at Yosemite National Park in 1945]] In 1942, Atyeo was hired by H. V. Evatt, who had become Minister for External Affairs. Although initially a temporary appointment, Atyeo worked for Evatt for eight years and was a trusted confidant who often accompanied him as an advisor. His diplomatic career started in New York as part of the office of the director-general of war supplies procurement.<ref name=":1" /> In 1945, Atyeo was stationed in Paris as the second secretary for the Australian legation and in 1947 assisted John Hood with UN special committees on the Balkans and Palestine. Atyeo notably opposed the partitioning of Palestine, reportedly saying Palestine should be given "back to the Turks with a substantial bonus to them for taking it".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mandel |first=Daniel |date=April 1999 |title=Dr H.V. Evatt at the united nations: A crucial role in the 1947 partition resolution for Palestine |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10314619908596091 |journal=Australian Historical Studies |language=en |volume=29 |issue=112 |pages=130–151 |doi=10.1080/10314619908596091 |issn=1031-461X|url-access=subscription }}</ref> He became Australia's delegate on the Balkans committee in 1948. Atyeo's appointment and his qualifications for this position were publicly questioned by opposition politicians, including Eric Harrison, and the Commonwealth Public Service Clerical Association.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 January 1949 |title="MYSTERY DIPLOMAT" APPOINTED |pages=3 |work=Cairns Post |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42610255 |access-date=3 May 2022}}</ref>
Atyeo's marriage to Dyring fell apart in 1948 and they divorced.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" /> Atyeo was dismissed from the diplomatic service in 1950 after his sponsor Evatt lost his position in government following the 1949 election. As a diplomat, Atyeo was known for his sense of humour, eccentricity and bluntness.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Edwards |first=P. G. |url=http://archive.org/details/primeministersdi00edwa |title=Prime ministers and diplomats: the making of Australian foreign policy, 1901–1949 |date=1983 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-554389-6 |location=New York |pages=147–148 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Brian Urquhart |url=http://archive.org/details/ralphbuncheameri00urqu |title=Ralph Bunche |date=1993 |publisher=W.W. Norton |isbn=978-0-393-03527-8 |location=New York |pages=142 |language=en}}</ref> Winston Churchill reportedly called Atyeo the world's most foul-mouthed diplomat.<ref name=":1" /> P.G. Edwards described Atyeo as having served "principally to entertain Evatt and boost his ego".<ref name=":5" />
=== Later career and death === thumb|281x281px|Sam Atyeo with Anne Lecoultre (''left)'' at his farm in Vence, France In 1950, Atyeo gave up painting and returned to his farm in Vence to grow grapes and roses, which he sold to the perfume industry.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> In November of that year, he married Anne Lecoultre. He started to paint again in 1960 but rarely exhibited his work.<ref name=":1" /> The Heide Museum of Modern Art held a retrospective of Atyeo's work in 1982.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mandel |first=Daniel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IyjwwgxrNHkC&dq=%22Sam+Atyeo%22&pg=PA3 |title=H.V. Evatt and the Establishment of Israel: The Undercover Zionist |date=2004 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-7146-5578-9 |pages=4 |language=en}}</ref>
He died in Vence on 26 May 1990.<ref name=":1" />
== Art and design style == Atyeo's early paintings as a student followed the realism promoted by teachers at the NGV Art School. His paintings soon became more figurative and followed a post-Impressionistic style though he was usually classified as a modernist.<ref name=":0" /> He has been described as being "the most articulate proponent of modernism in Australia" during the early 1930s.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Stephen |first1=Ann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R-zpAAAAMAAJ |title=Modernism & Australia: Documents on Art, Design and Architecture 1917–1967 |last2=McNamara |first2=Andrew |last3=Goad |first3=Philip |date=2006 |publisher=Miegunyah Press |isbn=978-0-522-85289-9 |pages=98 |language=en}}</ref> While a student, he discovered the work of Paul Klee and was greatly influenced by it.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gregg |first=Simon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_9O8DwAAQBAJ |title=Spirits in the Bush: The Art of Gippsland |date=2019-11-08 |publisher=Australian Scholarly Publishing |isbn=978-1-925801-69-9 |language=en |chapter=Through Modern Eyes}}</ref> His interest in European art movements set him apart from his contemporaries. He independently sought out information about overseas artists from imported books and journals from Melbourne bookshops and the Reed's collection.<ref name=":6" /> Other European artists that influenced Atyeo included Picasso, Cézanne and Van Gogh.<ref name=":3" /> He also displayed an intellectual engagement with artistic theory, often referencing Schopenhauer, Roger Fry, Clive Bell and Hegel.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last1=Harding |first1=Lesley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nx84SWfUhmgC&dq=%22Sam+Atyeo%22&pg=PA86 |title=Cubism & Australian Art |last2=Cramer |first2=Sue |date=2009 |publisher=The Miegunyah Press |isbn=978-0-522-85673-6 |pages=86–88 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
He approached furniture design with an emphasis on the harmony of the colour, design and utility and placed a great importance on functionality.<ref name=":0" />
Atyeo's later work was more lyrical and experimental in form and colour.<ref name=":0" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last1=Atyeo |first1=Sam |title=Atyeo : Heide Park and Art Gallery : exhibition dates, 23rd Nov. 1982-13th Feb. 1983. |last2=Phipps |first2=Jennifer |date=1982 |publisher=The Gallery |isbn=0-9593823-2-1 |publication-place=Melbourne, Australia |oclc=12133109}} * {{cite book |last=Atyeo |first=Sam |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/andirememberspai0000sper/page/236/mode/2up? |title=And I Remember Spain: A Spanish Civil War Anthology |date=1974 |publisher=Hart-Davis, MacGibbon |isbn=0-246-10595-X |editor-last=Sperber |editor-first=Murray A. |publication-place=London, UK |pages=236–237 |language= |chapter=From ''Up and Down Under: Being the Author's Adventures in Art and Diplomacy'' |oclc=984764}}
== External links ==
* National Gallery of Australia video about Atyeo's "Organised Line to Yellow" {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Atyeo, Sam}} Category:1910 births Category:1990 deaths Category:Australian painters Category:20th-century Australian diplomats Category:Australian expatriates in France Category:Heide Circle Category:Painters from Melbourne Category:National Gallery of Victoria Art School alumni Category:People from Brunswick, Victoria Category:20th-century Australian artists Category:Designers from Melbourne