Australian painter, Ivan Durrant (b. 1947) was born in Melbourne, Victoria, one of 7 children. He was 7 when his mother – influenced by the father’s alcoholism- put her children into state care. Ivan lived in an orphanage from 1954 to 1962, but often went into foster care on farms during summer holidays. It was there he developed his passion for birds and animals.

After Ivan was reunited with his family in 1962, he developed his interest in painting and held his first exhibition in St Kilda during 1970.

Ivan Durrant is now known as an artist who uses art to create “great schock value”.

His work is held in many public collections, including in the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.