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Percy
Trompf (1902-1964)
After
studying at the Ballarat Technical Art School, Percy Trompf moved
to Melbourne in 1923, to work for the commercial art firm of Giles
and Richards. Later, as a freelance artist specialising in poster
design, he opened a studio on Little Collins Street and produced
advertising material for chocolates, matches and agricultural products.
Trompf
was able to break with the 'American-style' poster of the beckoning,
smiling girl in the work he did for the Victorian Railways. The
Australian landscape and wildlife directly influenced his designs.
By the 1930s Trompf's brightly-coloured posters were well known
in Australia and his work had attracted attention in both Britain
and North America.
Trompf
taught life drawing classes at the Melbourne National Gallery School
and was also associated with the Art Training Institute.
During
the second World War he designed posters for the National Safety
Council for State Emergency Services, and in 1942 enlisted in the
RAAF, where he served as a pilot.
By
the late 1950s, Trompf was working as a graphic designer for the
Australian Publicity Council, a small, non-profit concern that sought
to publicise Australia to the international travel market.
He
continued to take an active role in the commercial arts until his
retirement.
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