Professor David Saunders and Dame Roma Mitchell, c1984

David Arthur Lewis Saunders - B: 11 October 1928; D: 23 September 1986.

Professor Saunders (MArch, DipTRP (Melb), DipArch (RMIT), FAIA, MRAPI) was professor of architecture and town planning at the University of Adelaide from 1977-1986.

Saunders introduced a new course, which was probably the most theoretically oriented in the country; architectural history also played a strong part.

He carried out vigorous research into South Australian historic buildings, and edited A Manual of Architectural History Sources in Australia (1981).

Furthering conservation within the university and outside it, he served a term as chairman of the South Australian government’s heritage committee (taken from Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 18, (MUP), 2012).

Painting - John Tjakamarra’s ‘Untitled’, c1984 (ref: A.VA.2006.81)

The painting 'Untitled' by John Tjakamarra (c1935-2002) relates to Tingarri Ceremonies and was bought from the Aboriginal Artists Agency Limited through Ron Radford, Art Gallery of South Australia, 1984.  The painting was officially presented to the University at the Annual General Meeting of the University of Adelaide Foundation in late November 1984.  The purchase of the painting was arranged by Professor David Saunders.

Synthetic polymer on linen.  182cm (H) x 155cm (W).