About the artist
A.B. Webb, a commercial artist originating from Kent, relocated from England to Western Australia in 1915 for health purposes. He ventured into woodblock printing around 1921, primarily focusing on the landscapes surrounding his Nedlands residence. Despite being influenced by the art nouveau movement in London and prevalent japonisme, Webb's art retains a distinct Western Australian character, which is widely appreciated. Webb's art pieces, passed down through his family, were relatively affordable and found a keen market, including his watercolours. While his prints usually had edition numbers, it's uncertain if he ever completed a full edition. A look at Perth's secondary market suggests Webb's work sold well in Western Australia. Notably, the majority of his printed works were created between 1921 and 1931, with his most recognised pieces emerging between 1921 and 1925. Iconic prints like "The shag" c.1921 and "Sunshine and shadow" c.1921-23 epitomise early twentieth-century visual art in Western Australia.
