Justus Jorgensen (1893–1975)
Justus was a painter, architect, teacher, and the driving force behind Montsalvat. Fiercely intelligent and endlessly ambitious, he had a reputation for being opinionated, argumentative, and utterly uncompromising when it came to art and ideas. He loved debate almost as much as he loved a good self-portrait (of which he painted many), each one an exploration of his own identity, ego, and creative force.
A student of Max Meldrum, Jorgensen was highly skilled as a designer, and he channelled this precision into the handmade buildings of Montsalvat. His intensity and charisma drew people into big communal projects, often volunteering from dawn to dusk under his exacting direction.
Montsalvat was his life’s work: a testament to his determination, contradictions, and belief that art should shape the way we live. His influence still echoes through Eltham’s artistic culture.
