Tate Adams

Tate Adams was born in Holywood, Ireland in 1922. Adams began painting and printmaking in 1949 at which time he studied for six months at the Central School of Art and Crafts, London. He arrived in Melbourne in 1951 and studied book illustration and design at Melbourne Technical College (now Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology). He also attended Tuesday evening classes in printmaking. Adams worked in London and Dublin between 1956 and 1958. Returning to Melbourne 1959 he was appointed lecturer in printmaking at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and in that position was instrumental in encouraging many artists and students to experiment in printmaking.

He established the Crossley Gallery in July 1966 which became a focal point for Melbourne printmakers until it closed in October 1980. The gallery exhibited local artists work as well as contemporary prints from Japan. Adams later established Lyre Bird Press which publishes books illustrated with original prints.

Since the early 1950s Adams has produced lithographs and many wood-engravings. He is now based in Townsville, Queensland.

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