A Life in Color and Glass
Born in West Lothian, United Kingdom, William Frater was a Scottish-born Australian stained-glass designer and modernist painter. His early training began with an apprenticeship in the Oscar Paterson glass studio in Glasgow, a craft he would later apply to significant commissions, such as the west window of Wesley Church in Melbourne. His career was marked by a transition from the structured world of stained glass to the expressive realms of tonalism and post-impressionism. Frater was known for his tenacious and purposeful nature, often challenging the conservative artistic stances of his time. He eventually devoted himself to landscapes, seeking to capture a certain strangeness within the Australian landscape.
Artistic Evolution and Legacy
Frater's artistic journey saw him move through various styles, from the analytical tonalism of Max Meldrum to the Cézannesque modernist color of his later years. He was a central figure in a post-impressionist school of painting in Melbourne, often painting en plein air with associates in the countryside. His work is held in several notable collections, including:
Throughout his life, Frater remained deeply engaged with the art community, serving as the president of the Victorian Artists' Society and participating in various exhibitions across Australia and Papua New Guinea. He was appointed an O.B.E. for his services to art before passing away in Melbourne.
