Born in Melbourne, Australia, 1930, the distinguished Australian artist, Robert A. Wade, has gained International acclaim. He has exhibited with most of the major Watercolour Societies in the World and won important awards in many countries. He conducts Workshops regularly in Europe and the USA, inspiring his students with his infectious enthusiasm and his consummate mastery of the Watercolour medium.
His work has received 12 Major overseas awards, in England, France and USA, plus 91 awards in Australia. Among the awards are the Cornelissen Award of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, London, 1983; Talens Award and Public Choice, Grand Prix International, Tregastel, France 1994; Clay Kent Medal, (BEST IN SHOW), International Society of Marine Painters, Washington, D,C., 1985; eight major awards of the celebrated Salmagundi Club, New York, including the Macowin Tuttle Memorial Award, (FIRST PRIZE, WATERCOLOR,) 1989 and 1990; Emanuel Krueger Memorial Award (BEST IN SHOW) 1988; 91 awards for watercolour in Australia since 1977, including three Gold Medals for Watercolour at Camberwell Rotary Exhibition, 1981, 1985, 1987.
He was elected "Artist of the Year", Victorian Artists' Society, 1985 and 1986; also in 1986 he received the "Advance Australia Medal" for his outstanding contribution to Australian Watercolour, and in 1988 he received the "Windsor and Newton Australian Bi-Centenary Award for Watercolour".
He was elected Member of the Australian Watercolour Institute, 1983; Honorary Member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, London, 1983/1990; Elected Fellow, Royal Society of Arts, London, 1987; Honorary Member Sociedad Mexicana de Acuarelistas, Mexico, 1982; Elected Member International Society of Marine Painters, USA, 1980; Elected Member Knickerbocker Artists New York, 1991;Honorary Member Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, USA, 1985; Life Member of Watercolour Society of Victoria; Patron and Life Member of the Hawthorn Artists' Society; Fellow of Victorian Artists' Society and former Council Member. In January 2000, he was elected to full membership of the American Watercolor Society, the first Australian to be so honoured.
He has exhibited with most of the world's major Watercolour Societies including the American Watercolor Society, NYC, 1981 & 1993; Royal Watercolour Society's Open, London, 1983; Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, London, annually, 1983-1993.
His work is represented in many public, corporate, and private collections including the Brooklyn Museum, New York; the Royal Watercolour Society, London; Salmagundi Club, New York; Australian Watercolour Institute; Westpac Bank; Bank of Tokyo; Museum of Watercolour, Mexico City; State Regional Galleries, Hamilton and Castlemaine, Victoria: Victorian State College; Victorian Artists' Society.
His commissions include paintings for Australia Post's Aerogramme for the International Philatelic Exhibition, 1984, the Bible Society's 1988 Australian Bi-Centenary Bible, the 1988 Australian Bi-Centenary Open Golf Championship, and for many leading International golfers and Golf Clubs. His work is published in limited editions in London by Rosenstiel's Fine Arts.
He has contributed regular articles to "Australian Artist" and overseas art magazines for many years. Wade's two best-selling books "Painting More Than The Eye Can See" and "Painting Your Vision in Watercolor" plus his instructional video, "Watercolour,…Wade's Way" have all received world-wide acclaim.
One of the most traveled and respected artists of our time, his name is synonymous with watercolour world. In 1986, for outstanding services to Art, and in particular Watercolour, he received the Advance Australia Medal.
He lectures on the heritage of Australian watercolour to many art societies around the world, earning himself the title of "Australia's Unofficial Ambassador of Watercolour"
Bob Wade with his friend Tony Bennet. Tony is a painter of considerable talent himself but Bob is going to retaliate and invade the musical area. He and Tony are collaborating on a ballad called "The Bottom Line" that will be released in the second half of 2000.
