Biography

Born 11th April 1963 at Port Augusta, South Australia. Landscape painter in oils.

Studies:
Todonai was avidly interested in art from an early age, devoting much of his time to drawing and painting. Robert Todonai received his early tuition from his father who is a keen amateur artist and Robert was encouraged by both his parents to further develop his talents.

During his matriculation year Robert’s friend, Manfred Huser, showed him publications from the Science-Art Research Centre at Lock 4 in the Riverland of South Australia. These publications so enthused Robert that he chose to make this research work the subject of a major matriculation project, earning him in 1986 a distinction from the examiners and a scholarship to attend the Research Centre itself, to work on campus at the University of Sydney, with the Artist-in-Residence, Robert Pope. One stipulation was made, he had to enroll for a mathematics degree at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. For the subjects he chose, he received credit passes. Robert Todonai spent the year of 1981 in studying and mastering the techniques of oil painting, as a protege of the artist, Robert Pope.

In 1992 Todonai decided to make the Riverland his home and constructed his own studio “Toad Hall” in the grounds of the Science-Art Research Centre at Lock 4 overlooking the River Murray, near Berri. In 1993 Robert Todonai and Robert Pope decided to relocate their Studio to New South Wales. The rise to professional status is extremely difficult for any artist and for one as young as Todonai, it is phenomenal.

Exhibitions:
David Jones’ Art Gallery, Sydney 1983; Educational Centre in Adelaide, 1984; Schubert Gallery, Surfers Paradise, 1985; Chandler-Pope Gallery, Surfers Paradise, 1985; Studio Star Gallery, Darwin, 1987; Dyansen Gallery on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills and DeVorzon Gallery, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, 1989; Included in Adelaide’s Elder Fine Art Galleries Best of Australian Outback Artists exhibitions shown throughout Australia 1988-1989; Visions Gallery, Gold Coast, Queensland 1989.

Represented:
Institutional and private collections in U.S.A. and Australia.

Bibliography:
Robert Todonai, in 1983; joint author of the book Two Bob’s Worth launched in Los Angeles by the Hollywood Thalian Mental Health Organisation as featured in Millionaire Magazine, 1989 (U.S.A.).