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Kilmeny Niland | |
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| Born | 1950 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Died | 27 February 2009 (aged 58–59) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupations | Artist and book illustrator |
| Known for | Children's book illustrations |
| Spouse | Rafe Champion |
| Parent(s) | Ruth Park and D'Arcy Niland |
| Website | www |
Kilmeny Niland (1950 – 27 February 2009) was a New Zealand–born 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.
Kilmeny Niland and her twin sister Deborah were born in Auckland, New Zealand, to New Zealand–born Australian author Ruth Park and her husband, the 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 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. In May 2008, she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and died of the disease in February 2009.
Kilmeny and Deborah started their careers by working freelance in London. Their first collaboration, The Little Goat, was published in 1971. By this time, the sisters were back in Australia, living in Cremorne, Sydney. They collaborated on eleven more books. They also worked on animation at Eric Porter's studios in Sydney.
During her lifetime, she published 47 books: 12 were illustrated by her with Deborah, 13 were written and illustrated by her, and 34 were texts by others which she illustrated.
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