Across the Little Darwin desk has come the above work written by Lyneve Amoore , cousin of Alexander Edward Garmonsway . It is a presentation copy to Magnetic Island resident Gary Davies who had long been interested in the art of Garmonsway , supplied examples of his work during WW ll , and helped her research in other ways . The New Zealand Postcard Society put her in touch with Davies .
Born in New Zealand in 1913 , Garmonsway caught polio when he was about two which left him with a wasted right arm and a weak left leg . He was taken to Melbourne by his mother to meet relatives and benefited from the trip .A pupil in the Elam School of Art and Design , Auckland , at the age of 18 ,he became increasing known for his paintings and caricatures.
After his work was praised by Norman Lindsay of the Sydney Bulletin , Garmonsway and his mother moved to Sydney in the hope that his career would blossom . They later returned to New Zealand where he was kept busy doing a variety of artistic work . With the outbreak of war , he used his artistic skills for the National Patriotic Fund ,started a long career in radio , producing a wide range of shows , some for children , plays , skits , and illustrated children's books .
