Edith Collier

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. Featuring over 150 artworks, this book's major essay by award-winning art writer Jill Trevelyan and its collection of guest essays offer a deep and rich immersion in Collier's craft.

‘A great book to read, a book to leave open and stare at, and I reckon a lead contender for next year’s Ockham Book Awards’ — David Hill, RNZ

‘A particular strength of the book is the detailed contextual information about the many factors — financial, cultural, geographical, and sociological — that supported or hampered Collier’s development as an artist . . . Andrew Clifford, director of the Sarjeant, expresses his hope that the book “will draw more attention to Edith Collier’s work, increase our understanding of her practice, and contribute further to the significant reputation she deserves”.  The book succeeds on all counts.’ — Anne Kerslake Hendricks, NZ Booklovers

‘The quality of writers heaping praise upon Collier in the book is remarkable, including (of course) Joanne Drayton, Jennifer Taylor, Gretchen Albrecht, Priscilla Pitts, Lizzie Bisley, poet Arini Beautrais and her nephew Gordon Collier, whose short piece is called “Aunt Edith”.’ — Linda Herrick, Kete Books

‘A portrait as vivid and lively as one of Edith’s own artworks’ —  Jenny Partington, takahē

Jennifer Taylor works closely with the Edith Collier Trust Collection on a daily basis as Curator of Collections at the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui. She has managed projects to photograph and catalogue Edith’s collection and archive, as well as this publication. Jennifer has curated a number of exhibitions of Edith’s work at Sarjeant on the Quay, regularly responds to research enquiries or viewing requests, and presents public talks about Edith and her legacy. In 2017 she led development of the Sarjeant Gallery’s award-winning collection portal Explore the Collection, enabling online access to the Edith Collier Trust Collection.

Greg Donson has been Curator and Programmes Manager at the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui since 2007, and is responsible for the development and implementation of the exhibition programme, including publications. For the gallery’s successful artist-in-residence programme he has worked with close to 50 New Zealand artists. In 2012, he was awarded the Clark Collection/Creative New Zealand Scholarship in the United Kingdom, attending the Attingham Summer School and undertaking internships at the Victoria & Albert Museum, the National Trust and English Heritage. In 2021, he was co-curator (with Lucy Hammonds and Lauren Gutsell) of the major touring survey exhibition and publication Joanna Margaret Paul: Imagined in the context of a room, developed by the Dunedin Public Art Gallery and the Sarjeant Gallery.

Jill Trevelyan is a writer and curator who first encountered the art of Edith Collier at the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui during the 1990s. Her books include Toss Woollaston: A Life in Letters (2004), Rita Angus: An Artist’s Life (2008), Peter McLeavey: The Life and Times of a New Zealand Art Dealer (2013) and Robin White: Something is Happening Here (with Sarah Farrar and Nina Tonga, 2022).

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.