Landmark exhibition of Mercy Sister’s art opens June 19

For decades, Sr Mary Lawrence taught at St Mary’s College in Wellington, as well as practising as an artist, mainly painting portraits. The exhibition, titled “Julia B. Lynch: A Dedicated Life” and curated by Dr Penelope Jackson, will run from June 19 to September 14.

It will focus on three aspects of Julia Lynch’s artistic career: portraits painted for competitions, controversial portraits and portraits of her students.

According to the New Zealand Portrait Gallery website: “This exhibition is a celebration of a talented artist whose ability to capture a good likeness was imbedded in both her formal art education and her observational skills.

“Lynch’s work was viewed as traditional and conservative, however, she is still fondly remembered by her many former students and her contribution to New Zealand art, and in particular portraiture, is significant of which this exhibition is a reminder and celebration.”

Students, families and collectors from across New Zealand were invited to help locate paintings of former students for the exhibition, but submissions closed earlier this year as there was overwhelming interest in the project.

Julia Lynch was born in 1896 in Tokomaru in the Horowhenua. She studied art in Palmerston North before moving to London, where she studied at the Slade School of Fine Art from 1921 to 1923. While in London, she was awarded a gold medal in portraiture, becoming the first New Zealander to receive such an award.

In 1924, she returned to New Zealand and joined the Sisters of Mercy in Wellington, taking the name Sr Mary Lawrence. Her life as a Sister of Mercy was spent teaching art at St Mary’s College.

She was a prolific painter throughout her life, painting portraits of some notable New Zealanders, including Jean Batten, Norman Kirk and Sir Arthur Porritt. Her works were exhibited at the Paris Salon, in Britain, Rome and the United States. In 1975, her portrait “Polish Dancer” was awarded the Kelliher Art Prize.

She frequently painted portraits to raise funds for St Mary’s College.

FULL STORY

Julia B. Lynch: A Dedicated Life — New Zealand Portrait Gallery (New Zealand Portrait Gallery)

Reflections: The Last Chapter – St Bede’s College (St Bede’s College)