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Kangaroo Thornton: Artist, Wrestler, Ghost!
11 Mar
Summary
- Harold Thornton was a prolific artist and self-promoter.
- He was a finalist in the Archibald prize three times.
- Thornton lived a remarkable life filled with diverse experiences.
Harold "the Kangaroo" Thornton, an Australian artist, led a life as vibrant and eclectic as his psychedelic paintings. He was a prolific creator, producing murals, poems, and comic strips, while also being a remarkable self-promoter. Thornton's work gained attention, including a notable piece in the 1983 Archibald Prize finalists, but widespread recognition and financial success largely eluded him during his lifetime.
Thornton's experiences extended far beyond the art world. He was a professional wrestler, operated a restaurant in Papua New Guinea, and even starred in an early film by acclaimed director Peter Weir. He spent significant time in Amsterdam, where a mural he created remains a tourist attraction. Despite a difficult childhood marked by bullying and insecurity, Thornton found solace and expression through his art, which he believed should remain accessible to all.
His art, particularly a portrait of Bob Brown, is now housed in the National Portrait Gallery, serving as a record of a crucial environmental and social period in Australia. Thornton's legacy is being preserved by friends and family, who aim to share his spellbinding work and the vibrant story of his many lives.
