With over 100 pieces in his aviation art collection, Dr Anthony Burke of DentalArt in Ringwood, VIC, feels like he’s just getting started.
With over 100 pieces in his aviation art collection, Dr Anthony Burke of There’s a piece of aviation art I’ve been hunting down for a while. It’s a magnificent painting called ‘Checkmate’ by the artist, Heinz Krebs. It shows a German locomotive transporting troops and ammunition while under attack by two North American P-51D Mustangs. The train is crashing through snow with shells penetrating and ricocheting off its armour. The planes are just skimming over the ground and the painting is full of speed and action. I’m hoping to acquire a signed limited-edition print on the resale market, but I haven’t had any luck so far!
“My collection consists of high-quality prints that have been signed by the pilots who actually flew the planes depicted. I’ve been invited to a number of signings where I was able to talk to men who crewed the planes. I’ve met people who served with the Royal Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and British air forces. I’ve also met several men who flew for the Luftwaffe during World War II. Virtually every print depicts an event that happened on a particular day. It makes me feel connected to that time and place.
“I purchased my first two pieces—an English Supermarine Spitfire IX and a German Messerschmitt Bf 109E—in 1990. Today I have 103 prints in my collection (with two more on the way).
“My major dental practice is in Ringwood and the walls are covered with prints. I also have a practice in Park Orchard but I promised the other two dentists that the aircraft would stay hangared in my surgery.
“I never wanted a practice that had photos of smiles everywhere. I look at teeth all day and the last thing I want to see are more teeth on the walls. The aviation art is interesting and a real conversation starter. I have treated many people with family members who flew in the Second World War—on both sides.
“I also have many prints at home. My wife won’t allow them in the body of the house, so they are relegated to the ‘men’s area’—the wine cellar, workshop and gym.
“I’m always on the lookout for more aviation art and I tend to justify any new purchase by saying they’re an investment. However, actually cashing in that investment would mean selling one of my beloved prints and, as my wife points out, that’s never going to happen.
“People often ask me if I still look at all this artwork and I always answer, with complete honesty, ‘Yes. Every single day.’
