Tom Garrett was born in Hobart in 1879. He studied at Hutchins School, Hobart and moved to Melbourne in 1900 and read for Holy Orders with the Anglican Church until about 1929 when he became a professional painter. He produced large numbers of small jewel-like blue and green monotypes that recalled often the romantic watercolours of J. J. Hilder, whose work Garrett greatly admired. He exhibited with the Royal Art Society of NSW, and at various group exhibitions, but mainly his work became known through his exhibitions in various cities, notably in Melbourne.
Tom Garrett is one of the most prolific of the artists listed in our database, with the number of works offered for sale by auction since 1969 of 1,933, of which 1,392 (72%) were sold. The highest price recorded for the artist is $30,800 for Figures on the Promenade, Manly sold by Christies in April 1987. This year 2 works have been offered for sale. Works by Tom Garrett are held by the Queensland Art Gallery, Art Gallery of NSW and a further six major public national galleries (see list below).
Tom Garrett is listed in the following standard biographical references:
Could the second and subsequent works by this artist sold after June 9, 2010 for over $1,000 be liable for the Artists' Resale Royalty? More info…
No, ineligible. The artist has been deceased for more than 70 years.
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