John Michael Skipper
John Michael Skipper was an English and South Australian artist and solicitor. He was the eldest son of solicitor John Skipper and Jane, whose brother was artist James Stark.
Early life
Skipper studied at Norwich Grammar School and was intended to follow his father into law, but his interest in art was encouraged by his uncle. In 1833, he left his study to become a midshipman on the Sherbourne for the East India Company. When he returned, he arranged to be articled to Charles Mann and emigrate to the new Colony of South Australia on the arriving at Holdfast Bay on 6 November 1836. He travelled in intermediate class, but was reported to have taken his meals in the 1st cabin.Career
In South Australia, Skipper was associated with his mentor Charles Mann and lawyer Edward Castres Gwynne. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of South Australia in 1840.In 1851, Skipper joined many others in the Victorian gold rush. A year later he returned to South Australia with many sketches, but not gold. He moved to Port Adelaide as Clerk of the Court and remained there until his retirement in 1872.
As an artist, Skipper depicted nature, social events, and everyday life. His work has become a valuable record of life in the early stages of the colony.