First published in the Sydney Morning Herald on August 15, 1964
Ron Williams, who has just released from Long Bay, putting finishing touches to one of his paintings “Picnic” in his room at Darlinghurst.Credit:Alan Charles Kemp
Oils, Drawings By Criminal Influence Judge
The quality and variety of works of art executed in gaol by a habitual criminal yesterday influenced a Judge to leniency.
The artist, Ronald Williams, appeared before Judge Bruxner in Sydney Quarter Sessions. Williams had pleaded guilty to having, while armed with a shotgun, assaulted James Edward Moore at Bringelly in 1957, and robbing him of £58.
Also, on the Bench before the Judge, was a selection of paintings — oils, pencil sketches, works done in laminex, drawings of prisoners, faces in ink and pearl fishermen in oils. Down in one of the court's offices there were more paintings and drawings — well over 100 — and all done by the same artist.
Two of Ronald Williams’ paintings, as shown to Judge Bruxner. August 14, 1964.Credit:Staff photographer
Undertook An Arts Course
Judge Bruxner agreed with solicitor Mr Mark Murray that the works showed that the creator had "a most remarkable aptitude."
"After seeing his works, one has not got to be an expert to realise that he possesses considerable talent in this field," Judge Bruxner said.
"I think he has quite a future to look forward to as a decent citizen in this community."
Judge Bruxner sentenced Williams to four years gaol. He said that if Williams gaol conduct was good, he would consider recommending his release on licence after nine months.
Detective-Sergeant D. B. Toohey, of the C.I.B., said Williams was declared an habitual criminal in Western Australia in 1960, and spent 3 1/2 years in Fremantle Gaol.
While in the gaol, Williams had undertaken an arts and crafts correspondence course which included studying freehand drawing, painting, and wall murals.
Sergeant Toohey said Williams mother died when he was eight years old. Until the age of 12 he bad been placed in 11 foster homes.
Judge Bruxner photographed in 1965Credit:Staff photographer
During the war, Williams served with the R.A.A.F.
In 1951 he went to Queensland and worked in shearing sheds. He was also a seaman and a crocodile shooter.
Two years later he committed offences in South Australia for which he had not yet been dealt.
After committing armed robbery in 1957, Williams had gone to Thursday Island and Cape York where he shot crocodiles and worked as a diamond driller with the B.H.P.
Sergeant Toohey said Williams then worked as a diamond driller 1,000 miles north of Perth until he again turned to crime – breaking and entering, forging and uttering — for which he was declared a habitual criminal.
"It was at this stage of his career that he decided to be an artist," the sergeant said.
On May 31, 1965, after his release from Long Bay gaol, Williams met with the Herald in his £3-a-week room in Kings Cross, Sydney, and discussed his “early life of crime”. "I have thought about it a lot,” he said. “I believe that my behaviour was some form of protest. My life then was pointless. Now I have my painting. That is all I live for. But I have wasted so many years. I have so much to learn. There is so much to do and there is so little time."
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