The late David Band left a distinct stamp on graphic design in Australian restaurants, writes Michael Harden.
David Band, the Scottish-born Melbourne artist who died in April at the age of 51, was not just a respected figure on the Australian art scene but an important visual influence on its culinary world as well. His deceptively simple, highly graphic work was influential in establishing the identity of restaurants such as the Melbourne Wine Room, Otto, North Bondi Italian Food, Icebergs, Rockpool Bar & Grill, Spice Temple and The Botanical. Band also created the chefs hat logo for Fairfax’s Good Food Guides. An “impeccable sense of space and.. an amazing capacity for line” were among the things that distinguished his work, says Tim Olsen, gallery owner and Band’s Sydney representative. “David always brought out the best in my ideas and could get a brief immediately,” says restaurateur Maurice Terzini. “He has a big passion for food that he could translate into a graphic sense that has a sense of humour and a sense of seriousness.” For some restaurant projects, Band worked with his graphic designer wife Fiona Mahon and photographer Earl Carter. But he also collaborated on projects with chefs (such as Tenplates, his book with Geoff Lindsay), and was commissioned by restaurants to create one-off pieces. Bands’ work, Olsen says, “added an eclectic sense that could make any room exciting”.