Edith Collier: Early New Zealand Modernist

by Jill Trevelyan (Editor), Jennifer Taylor (editor), Greg Donson (editor)

Rediscovering a remarkable woman painter.

Published to coincide with the reopening of the Sarjeant Gallery in Whanganui, this substantial and handsome book examines the continuing impact of Whanganui-born and British-trained Edith Collier and her artistic legacy.

In an era of growing international interest in women artists, Collier’s work is finding a new audience via books, exhibitions, documentary films and other projects.

Edith Collier was a dynamic modernist, and the story of her years in Europe and then her return to New Zealand and the near abandonment of her practice are compelling as both art history and an affecting human story. A century on, her remarkable body of work remains fresh and contemporary.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 2024

Reviews

[She's So Novel! ꧁꧂]

Shortlisted for Ockham New Zealand Book Awards BookHub Award Illustrated Nonfiction (2025)

The best NZ painter I'd never heard of before. Thank you Ockham's!

Edith did have a fortunate start in life. From a wealthy family, she studied art for many years in her home town of Whanganui, before being fully financially supported to study & live in England for nine years, where she became a protegée of NZ's most famous female artist, Frances Hodgkinson.

I found in amazing that she stayed on in the UK during WW1. I would certainly have eagerly returned to the other side of the world!
From her time in the UK; Women signing up at a recruitment office.

So talented, but even though she qualified as an art teacher, she never taught & shyness meant Edith was no good at self promotion. Very few of her paintings were sold or given to anyone but her family & that is why there was such a magnificent collection to give the Sergeant Gallery in her home town. Next time I am in Whanganui I am definitely going to visit - the gallery was closed for renovations for 10 years & only just reopened last November.

https://sarjeant.org.nz/about/

Unfortunately although Edith's family was normally supportive, after a patronising & negative local review of her work, her father went into her studio when she was out, gathered up some of her nudes & made a bonfire of them. While very angry with her father (& I am sad about what was lost) Edith continued to exhibit & paint. She lost interest in exhibiting, but continued to paint until quite late in life. She died in 1964, aged 79. She left her artwork to her sisters, who in turn were generous enough to put the artwork on long-term loan at the Sergeants Gallery.

An early example of one of her nudes - the only one in the book that features some men!

This book is a beautiful & loving tribute, Edith's art is stunning. The breath of her interests is stunning. I'm just including a few examples in this review. From her return to NZ:

The other thing I really like about this book is the beautifully done Chronology - best I've ever seen. Very helpful to this reviewer!

https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...

[Hannah Cook]

Stunning book. Lots of interesting essays. Fave collier: boy with Noah’s ark. And special mention to the textile artist inspired by collier too.

[Andrea]

Fascinating look at the life and work of Edith Collier. Hopefully this book will help people to discover her work and give her the recognition she deserves.

[Maree Kibblewhite]

Fabulous - beautiful presentation