“The Artist, The Material, Then Commerce”
Art Spectrum has been making fine artists’ colors for over 35 years in tradition as unique as it’s land of origin and the genesis of the company. Throughout his career as a professional artist, David Keys had been frustrated by the exorbitant price, spotty availability and often inconsistent quality of the imported artists materials available to him in Australia. In the early 1960’s while dining with a group of fellow artists the idea was put forward that perhaps they should set up a cooperative to make the fine quality materials that they needed at an affordable price right there in Australia. Everybody in the group agreed to contribute a small amount of money to start the venture, but it eventually fell to David to turn the dream into a practical reality.
The knowledge, passion and dedication of professional artists combined with the unique materials and colors indigenous to the Australian environment soon combined to produce a unique range of materials unmatched for quality and value anywhere in the world. In fact, all the colors of the dramatic Australian land, sea and sky were present eventually giving birth to the name “Art Spectrum” by which the company is known today. David Keys and his family still privately own and operate the Melbourne based company which today sells more artists colors and accessories in Australia than all the imported brands combined. A very energetic “older gentleman” these days, David still paints for his own pleasure when the demands of the business permit. From the founding of the company to this day, David has operated on one simple principle “first the artist, then the material, then commerce”. It is a strategy that has served this family company in the past and continues to do so as we enter the 21st century.