Kilmeny Niland

Kilmeny Niland (1950-2009) was an Australian artist and illustrator. While best known for her children's book illustrations, she worked in a wide range of genres, including animation, wildlife art, miniatures, portraits, cards and prints. She won numerous prizes in national and international competitions, and one of her portraits was purchased by Australia's National Portrait Gallery, in Canberra.

With her twin sister, Deborah, she illustrated a children's version of Banjo Paterson's poem Mulga Bill's Bicycle.

Life

Kilmeny Niland, and her twin sister, Deborah, were born in Auckland, New Zealand, to New Zealand-born Australian author Ruth Park and her husband, author and journalist, D'Arcy Niland. She had three older siblings, Anne, Rory and Patrick, who had been born in Australia.

The family returned to Sydney and lived in Neutral Bay and then Balgowlah Heights. The twins were educated at Saint Cecilia's Primary School and Stella Maris College. Both then studied art at the Julian Ashton Art School.

Their father died in 1967, and some time after their mother took them to London with their brother Patrick who had been offered a place at the Royal Academy of Music.

Kilmeny Niland married writer and researcher, Rafe Champion, in 1979. They had four sons, Leo, Hugh, Patrick and Tom.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991.<ref...
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