Bathers and Lifesavers on Bondi Beach (six of six murals)

Artist David Henry Souter (1862 - 1935)

Date1934

Object number00055529

NameMural

MediumOil paints on wood panel.

DimensionsOverall: 15.1 kg
Overall: 612 x 2,705 x 53 mm,

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection funded by Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation

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DescriptionSix of six murals of various themes painted by David Henry Souter between 1920 and 1934 that hung on the walls of the Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. This final mural depicts an idealised crowd enjoying leisure time at Bondi Beach. All the elements of a healthy, modern and free society are on display watched over by the ever vigilant lifesaver, the new icon of Australian manhood. HistoryHenry Souter, along with artists such as Sydney Long and Norman and Lionel Lindsay was part of a movement known as the Australian Classical revivalists that blended classical figures and pagan spirits with Australian landscapes. Their work was closely linked with the nationalism of the pre-Federation and post WW1 periods. This final panel portrays leisure at Bondi Beach featuring a crowd of people from different ages, individuals, family groups and couples, engaging in various activities such as playing with beach toys, chatting, lying on the sand or standing, creating a lively beach scene. On the left side of the scene, the Chief Beach Inspector, Stan Macdonald, stands next to a surf-reel, a device that was invented at Bondi and used for many years by surf lifesaving clubs throughout Australia during parades, drills and surf rescues. Above the scene, there is a plane flying on the clear blue sky. The Bondi murals are bold and evocative, all five panels combined, reflect themes including heroism, defence, militarism, self-sacrifice, the surf-life saving movement and beach culture in Australia. The final panel is of particular interest for its depiction of swimwear and the beach culture that had emerged in Australia by the 1930s. SignificanceWith his military and surf lifesaving background, Henry Souter was ideally placed to draw on these Australian themes of heroism to create these monumental panels. The works depict themes which have helped to shape our national identity – the diggers at Gallipoli, bush pioneers, the bronzed surfer, and a fit and healthy population enjoying their leisure at the beach.

This is Souter's largest surviving work and was painted between 1920 and 1934, the allegorical work depicts the lifesaver becoming an icon of Australian manhood.