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The Artists

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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