Sybil Mary Frances Craig (1901–1989), was an Australian painter. She was appointed by the

Australian War Memorial The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in wars involving the Commonwealth of Australia and some conflicts involving pe ...

to accept the appointment as an official war artist. She was the first woman to paint women working in the munitions’ factories. FL15995793

Early life

Craig was born in London, England on 18 November 1901. She was the only child of affluent parents Matthew Frances Craig and Winifred Frances, née Major. Her family emigrated to Australia in 1902. The Craigs first lived in Brighton, but moved to Caulfield in 1914 into a house built by Matthew. Craig recalled a childhood spent in a 'suburban bohemian household' that was frequented by artists and musicians.

Career

From 1924 though 1931 Craig studied at the

National Gallery of Victoria Art School The National Gallery of Victoria Art School, associated with the National Gallery of Victoria, was a private fine arts college founded in 1867 and was Australia's leading art school of 50 years. It is also referred to as the 'National Gallery ...

where she was taught by Bernard Hall, William McInnes and Charles Wheeler. She also studied at the Working Men's College, Melbourne (now RMIT) in 1935. In 1932 she had her first solo show at the

Melbourne Athenaeum The Athenaeum or Melbourne Athenaeum is an art and cultural hub in the Melbourne city centre, central business district of Melbourne, Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1839, it is the city's oldest cultural institution. It ...

. She had a studio on Collins Street from 1936 to 1951 and had the financial means that left her free to pursue painting. In March 1945 Craig became an official war artist, commissioned by the Australian War Memorial Board to record the contribution of women to the war effort. She recorded women working at the Commonwealth Explosives Factory at Maribyrnong, a suburb of Melbourne. Sybil Craig

Craig was a member of several artistic organizations including the New Melbourne Art Club, the

Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors The Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors, established in Melbourne, Victoria in 1902, is the oldest surviving women's art group in Australia. History The Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (MSWPS) began in 1902 as a ...

, the Victorian Artists Society, and the

Twenty Melbourne Painters Twenty Melbourne Painters Society is an Australian arts organisation that was established in 1918. The group split from the Victorian Artists Society to follow the Australian Tonalist Max Meldrum. Membership is restricted to 20 and is upon invitat ...

. In 1978 the ''Important Woman Artists Gallery'' in East Malvern held a retrospective of her work. She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 1981 Queen's Birthday Honours. Craig died 15 September 1989 in Melbourne.

Early life

Career

References

Further reading