described Kmit as "one of the most sumptuous colourists of our time". Paul Haefliger wrote: "Of all the foreign aspirants to art who have visited these shores since the war, Michael Kmit is the only one who has made an impression on the present generation of painters." After winning a string of awards including the Blake Prize (1953) and the Sulman Prize (1957), he left Australia for the United States in 1958, residing in the San Francisco-Bay Area of California. His American period did not result in a lot of success and also, due to the end of his marriage, he went through a period of depression. Returning in 1965 his style and format had changed and the high praise for his work was replaced with cautious criticism. He married Norma Randall a few years after his return to Australia and his son Michael Kmit Junior was born in May, 1968. However, by the time "Cassandra" (1979) was painted, only two years before his death, Kmit had returned to the previous vigour of his 1950s works. Exhibitions In 1951 Michael Kmit showed his work for the first time in Brisbane at the Johnstone Gallery, where the owner Brian Johnstone intended to exhibit "the most creative work in Australia today", particularly that of "brilliant" younger artists. Until his death Kmit exhibited in numerous group shows throughout the Australian States of Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia, including selections for the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prizes. Kmit was a member and exhibited with the Sydney branch of the Contemporary Art Society, the "Sydney Group" and the Society of Artists. He was also an honorary member, and exhibited with the Ukrainian Artists Society of Australia. A selection of exhibitions included: 1951 — Contemporary Art Society (NSW) Annual Exhibition 1952 — Society of Artists Spring Exhibition, Sydney 1952 — Show of Sixes Annual Exhibition, Macquarie Galleries 1952 — Contemporary Art Society (NSW) 14th Annual Exhibition 1953 — Society of Artists Annual Exhibition, Department of Education Art Gallery, Sydney 1953 — Show of Sixes Annual Exhibition, Macquarie Galleries 1954 — Contemporary Art Society (NSW) Annual Exhibition 1954 — Exhibited with the Sydney Group 1956 — Society of Artists Annual Exhibition 1956 — 'Contemporary Australian Painting', Pacific Loan Exhibition, Art Gallery of NSW and on board the SS Orcades 1957 — Society of Artists Exhibition of drawings and prints. David Jones