In 1983, the Archibald Prize showcased a striking piece titled Dr Brown and Green Aged Time Waltz, a psychedelic portrait of Bob Brown, notable for its vibrant colors and intricate details, including hidden faces within the trees and whimsical little green men at Brown’s feet. This captivating artwork was accompanied by an equally colorful figure: Harold “the Kangaroo” Thornton, the artist who claimed to be the “greatest genius that ever lived.” Dressed in hand-painted attire, complete with painted false teeth and a walking stick, Thornton was a fixture next to his painting, engaging with visitors and becoming good friends with the gallery staff, as noted by his nephew, Philip Thornton.
Despite his vibrant personality and unique artistic vision, recognition largely eluded Thornton throughout his life—a situation that persists today. If he is remembered at all, it is primarily due to his portrait of Brown, although he was admired by fellow artists such as Martin Sharp and Ken Done. In fact, Done once assisted Thornton by funding the shipment of a crate of his paintings across the globe. Thornton’s artwork, infused with a mischievous sense of humor, seemed poised to capture the mainstream audience, but even with the rise of surrealism in Australia, he never found the acclaim or financial success he deserved. “Maybe he was ahead of his time, maybe he was behind his time,” Done remarked. “Maybe he was just on Harold Thornton’s time.”
Today, Thornton’s legacy is perhaps more visible in Amsterdam, where he spent many years living and creating art. Often found on the streets with an empty cup and a sign reading, “If you like Harold’s art, Harold likes beer,” he left a lasting impression on the local culture. One of his murals, located at The Bulldog, a well-known café and marijuana shop, remains a tourist attraction, further establishing his presence in the city. His friend Pienke WH Kal even published a monograph on Thornton, highlighting his contributions to the art world.
A Life of Extraordinary Tales
Thornton lived a life full of remarkable stories and accomplishments. By the time he passed away in 2004, he had been a finalist for the Archibald Prize three times. His diverse experiences included a stint as a professional wrestler, using a painted hearse as his primary mode of transport and a role in one of the earliest short films by acclaimed filmmaker Peter Weir. He owned and operated a restaurant in Papua New Guinea and spent time in Moscow. One of his most poignant artistic endeavors occurred when he painted a portrait of his father while the elder man was on his deathbed, continuing the work even as family members urged him to stop.
Thornton’s myth-making extended beyond his art—he often claimed to have died on an operating table and traveled the world as a ghost, an embellishment stemming from a routine gallbladder surgery. Yet, beneath this flamboyant persona lay a genuine kindness. Dale Trueman, an artist and friend, noted, “He was a great self-promoter but he just wanted to be friends with people.”
Struggles and Triumphs
Born in Enfield, Sydney, in 1915, Thornton’s childhood was troubled. His upbringing was challenging, with a stern mother and bullying at school, which impacted his self-esteem throughout his life. He often described himself as lacking intelligence, a sentiment reflected in his comic strips filled with spelling errors—some of which were intentional, showcasing his self-deprecating humor.
Art became Thornton’s refuge, providing him solace during challenging times. He would frequently work for extended periods on his pieces, only to crash into bouts of low mood afterward. His reluctance towards financial success left him in a perpetual state of poverty, often referring to his living conditions as “like a rat.” He would charm his way into staying with family members, promising them paintings that he claimed would never be for sale, insisting his art was meant for the people.
This resistance to commercialization frustrated those around him. Once, after being commissioned to paint a portrait of the mayor of Wagga Wagga, he exaggerated the man’s features, leading to a physical altercation with locals. In another instance, after failing to have one of his paintings accepted for the Archibald, he staged a protest outside the gallery, complete with a giant papier-mâché head in a shopping trolley.
Legacy and Recognition
Thornton’s painting of Bob Brown remains his most recognized work, now housed in the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. The creation of this piece stemmed from a series of serendipitous events that began while Thornton lived with his nephew, Philip. In an effort to provide some respite from Thornton’s vibrant personality, Philip and his housemates funded his trip to Tasmania to participate in a blockade against the Franklin Dam, a pivotal moment that too sparked Thornton’s political awareness.
During this time, he met Christine Milne, a schoolteacher who would later become a senator for Tasmania and a leader of the Greens. Milne recalls Thornton as one of the most open-minded individuals she ever encountered, often sharing stories about his colorful experiences in Amsterdam’s red-light district. Brown, too, was charmed by Thornton’s eccentricity, noting that his portrait captured not just a likeness but also told a broader story of a significant environmental movement. “I see some Hieronymus Bosch in Harold’s painting,” Brown commented. “It’s not a portrait. It tells a whole story.”
Despite his desire to have his works displayed together in a proper gallery, this has not yet come to fruition. Philip Thornton reflects on this, wishing for future generations to discover his uncle’s art. “When the paintings are hung together, they’re just spellbinding,” he said.
Years after his passing, Thornton’s influence continues to resonate with those who knew him. Chris Osborne is even pursuing a film project about Thornton, hoping to capture his unique spirit, while others like Dale Trueman and Ken Done remain committed to preserving his legacy. “Not everybody will understand Harold or Harold’s work, but that’s OK,” Done stated. “He was Harold, and he didn’t deliver a fuck.”
A fitting sentiment for a man who once claimed to have died and walked the Earth as a ghost. Harold Thornton’s vibrant life and art persist, ensuring that his legacy will not be easily forgotten. “I am told everybody dies,” Thornton once wrote, “but not me.”
