Russell Clark

Russell Clark

Russell Clark (1905-1966) began his long association with the School Journal in 1940. Towards the end of World War II he was commissioned as an official war artist; it was after his return to Wellington at the end of the war that Clark’s influence was felt at the School Journal.

Clark’s illustrations were recognised for their close observation of the world, fine design, and skilled drawing. In 1947 he was described in the Year Book of the Arts in New Zealand as the "most experienced, witty and sophisticated illustrator" at the School Journal.

Clark also made many of the decisions about which artist would illustrate each poem, story or article, and one of his colleagues later described him as the School Journal’s first, if unofficial, art editor.

In 1948 the School Journal published a book-length feature about traditional Māori life. 'Life in the Pa' featured over 100 drawings by Clark, and more by fellow illustrator E Mervyn Taylor. Between 1948 and 1951 Clark made a number of visits to the Tūhoe iwi in the Ureweras, and his illustrations, paintings and sculpture featuring Māori subjects are a highlight of his work.

Clark continued to produce drawings for the School Journal into the 1950s, after he moved on to work for the New Zealand Listener. In 1975 his contribution to the publication was recognised with the establishment of the Russell Clark Award, for excellence in children's book illustration.

Russell Clark biography - Dictionary of New Zealand Biography website

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