S. John Ross | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:RAS_SJohnRoss.jpg) S. John Ross at work at the Sydney Royal Easter Show | |
| Born | Sebastian John Ross April 24, 1919 Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Died | August 24, 2008 (aged 89) |
| Nationality | American Australian |
| Other names |
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| Citizenship | Australian |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | early 1950s-2008 |
| Known for | (A) Miniature silhouette portraits (B) Appearance's at the annual Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Brisbane Ekka and Luna Park, Sydney |
| Spouse | Phyllis Counsell |
Sebastian John Ross (April 24, 1919 – August 24, 2008) was an American-born Australian caricature artist and showman, famous for his miniature silhouette portraits cut in black card and mounted on a white background. He made numerous media appearances and became a well-known identity at annual shows such as the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Brisbane Ekka, where he worked each year for about 60 years. He was regarded within his lifetime as "a legend".[1]
He first visited Australia in 1942 as a U.S. Serviceman, and in 1945 married an Australian WAAF, Phyllis Counsell. After returning to America in the late 1940s, in 1950 he moved permanently to Australia and lived in NSW at Springwood. In 1950 with some assistance from Jimmy Sharman Snr. He was introduced to the life of the Australian Outdoor Showmen and worked the shows up until 2008. In that time he worked capital shows in Sydney, Melbourne Adelaide and Brisbane. John also toured regional Queensland & NSW shows. John Ross worked at Luna Park Sydney from 1950 until 1979. From then until his death in 2008 aged 89, when not on tour, he worked at the observation deck at Sydney's Centrepoint Tower. During this time he created thousands of portraits, including that of many celebrities. He appeared on television and radio on many occasions and hundreds of articles were written about him in newspapers and magazines.
John was held in high regard by all in the Australian Show Society, being given many Show legend awards. When receiving one of these awards John always said jokingly that he would "rather be a live legend than a dead one". He also claimed that only the Australian Taxation Office knew what the "S" in his name stood for.[2] He was sometimes referred to as Scissors John.
Ross Eastgate, a military historian and journalist, said of Ross that "He was not tall in stature, but he was giant in Australian entertainment."[3]
- ^ Peter Dunn,The Silhouette Man accessed Nov 1 2008
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald, The Silhouette Man of Luna Park, accessed Nov 1 2008
- ^ Ekka's silhouette man dies, aged 89 accessed Nov 1 2008