Julia B. Lynch (1896 – 1975) was brought up in the Manawatu before heading to London to study at the Slade School of Art during the early 1920s. Upon her return to New Zealand, she joined the Sisters of Mercy in Wellington, becoming Sister Mary Lawrence, although she continued to sign her work with the initials ‘JL’ for the rest of her life. For decades, she taught at St Mary’s College in Wellington, as well as practicing as an artist, mainly painting portraits.
This exhibition will focus on three aspects of Lynch’s artistic career: portraits painted for competitions (for instance she entered the famous Australian Archibald Portrait Prize four times), controversial portraits (her portrait of Mayor Percy Dowse, Lower Hutt was taken down at the Dowse but in 1984 the director was told to reinstate it against his dislike for it) and portraits of her students, of which there are many.
Lynch often painted portraits including ones of her students as well as iconic people such as Jean Batten and Norman Kirk, to raise funds for the St Mary’s College.
In many ways as a single woman, being a member of the church community allowed Lynch to enjoy a long and active artistic career. 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 my many of former students and her contribution to New Zealand art, and in particular portraiture, is significant of which this exhibition is a reminder and celebration of.
Curated by: Dr Penelope Jackson MNZM
As the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, St Mary’s College and Sisters of Mercy prepare for this landmark exhibition, which coincides with the College’s 175th anniversary, we are reaching out to the community to locate portraits of former students.
We are inviting students, families, and collectors from across New Zealand to help locate paintings of former students for the exhibition. Whether individuals possess a cherished portrait by Lynch from their school days or are aware of someone who does, their contributions are sought for consideration by the curator to be included in the exhibition.