HAESE, Richard

Tribute

Our dear friend, Dr Richard Phillip Payne Haese has passed away, on May 19, 2025, aged 80.
He was born in Jamestown, South Australia.

Richard was a university lecturer, academic and widely, well-respected writer on art and cultural history. His various publications are lauded by experts and luminaries in their fields here in Australia and elsewhere. Over the decades of a dedicated and productive life he gave numerous lectures and wrote essays on Australian art.

At his home, he created his own personal ongoing artwork, in the form of a wonderful garden, building in the ancient style of “dry stone walls” which don’t use mortar, as well as laying stone pavements, displaying the craft and application of a fine, skilled stonemason.
He was a keen reader and loved listening to music. He was also a cat lover.

Richard’s long time friend, Stephen May, recalls: “Special memories of my more than fifty years friendship with Richard are of our trip to Japan and later, our journey across the USA delivering cars. His knowledge of galleries was invaluable. We privately chose a favourite painting in each gallery, Gauguin's 'Yellow Christ' a mutual choice in Buffalo.”

He was much loved by many and gave a helping hand over his life, to many friends in time of need.
Richard may be departed this world but his spirit lives on among us.

Stephen May, Artist
Heja Jung (Chong), Artist