John Drawbridge

John Drawbridge

In the mid 1950s Wellington artist John Drawbridge (1930-2005) designed a number of striking School Journal covers and other illustrations to accompany a series of instructive do-it-yourself articles.

The articles, which covered topics such as model making and the art of wire sculpture, were written by Gordon Tovey, Director of the Arts and Crafts Branch. Drawbridge’s images suggested the kinds of things children could make. His cover for an issue featuring an article about dioramas – small models made in boxes – looks like a humorous take on modernist house design. The Punch and Judy-like cover also reproduced on this page was designed by Drawbridge for an article by Ether Archdall about puppet shows.

At this time, Drawbridge also designed a series of covers for Tusitala mo Vasege Tetele Samoa, School Publications' Samoan language journal. In 1970 Drawbridge was invited to contribute a final cover to the School Journal, as part of a series featuring the work of contemporary New Zealand artists.

Permission of the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa must be obtained before any reuse of this image.

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