Peter Kingston (artist)

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Peter Kingston
Born1943 (1943)
Died2022 (aged 78–79)
NationalityAustralian
Alma mater University of New South Wales (BA)
Known forLandscape painting
Awards Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) (returned in 2021)

Peter Kingston (1943-2022) was an Australian artist and heritage activist, most known for his artworks depicting Sydney Harbour. [1] [2] [3]

Biography

Kingston grew up at Parsley Bay during the 1940s and 1950s. [4] He attended the University of New South Wales and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1965. He also tutored architecture at the University of Sydney. [5]

Kingston fought to conserve the Walsh Bay wharves and was among the demonstrators that marched on Parliament in 1966 to demand the return of Jørn Utzon to build the Sydney Opera House. [4]

In 1973, Kingston was commissioned alongside pop artists including Martin Sharp to restore and revitalise Luna Park Sydney. [4] Following Luna Park's closure as a result of the Ghost Train fire, Kingston and Sharp founded the Friends of Luna Park, a group advocating for the conservation of the amusement park. [6] When Luna Park was redeveloped in the early 1990s, Kingston was involved in the restoration of the artworks in the Coney Island funhouse. [7]

In 2013, Kingston was the recipient of the Medal of Australia for his activism and art. He returned the award in 2021 after Margaret Court's receiving of the Companion of the Order of Australia. Kingston stated the move was made in protest of Court's anti-LGBTQ advocacy. [8] [9]

Kingston resided in Lavender Bay for 50 years until his death. Much of his work depicted Sydney Harbour, primarily the view from his home. [10]

Kingston died in September 2022 at the age of 79. [11] [12]

References

  1. ↑ Linda Morris; Joyce Morgan (30 September 2022). "Tributes pour in for Peter Kingston, acclaimed poet-painter of Sydney Harbour". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  2. ↑ Andrea McCullagh (29 July 2016). "Artist Peter Kingston set to be honoured by North Sydney Council". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  3. ↑ Pearce, Barry (6 October 2022). "A contradictory genius: For Peter Kingston, Sydney Harbour was his muse". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Morris, Linda (21 February 2020). "'That gives me even more reason to survive': Lunch with Peter Kingston". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 10 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Peter Kingston". Australian Galleries. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Friends of Luna Park Reunion". Luna Park Sydney. 4 March 2023.
  7. ↑ The Art of Fun. North Sydney Council, Library Council of New South Wales. 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2025– via YouTube.
  8. ↑ Morris, Linda (26 January 2021). "'I couldn't think of a better use of the award': Peter Kingston rebuffs Australia Day honour in protest". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  9. ↑ Riches, Caroline (27 January 2021). "Artist Peter Kingston is the latest to reject his Australia Day honour in protest of Margaret Court". SBS News . Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  10. ↑ Bowring, Declan (8 June 2024). "Sydney artist Peter Kingston honoured by new exhibition at State Library of NSW". ABC News . Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  11. ↑ "Remembering Sydney artist and activist Peter Kingston". Sydney Saturday Breakfast. ABC Radio Sydney. 1 October 2022. Archived from the original on 28 June 2025.
  12. ↑ Westwood, Matthew (30 September 2022). "Harbour's 'master' artist dies aged 79" . The Australian . Archived from the original on 10 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
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