Birth
Edith Lilla Holmes was born in Hamilton, Tasmania, on 9 March 1893.
Career
Holmes had natural artistic talent, which was encouraged by her mother who was said to have had ‘a good sense of colour’ and ‘created memorable interiors in their home’.
One of Holmes’ self-portraits.
She studied art periodically at the Hobart Technical College between 1918 and 1935. One of her teachers, Lucien Dechaineux, noted that her ‘modern outlook at first was not well received in Hobart’.
Her work is nonetheless colourful and detailed. She painted in all weather conditions, and enjoyed doing portraits, including of herself and her relatives.
After attending Julian Ashton’s Sydney Art School between 1930 and 1931, Holmes held regular exhibitions in Melbourne.
She also exhibited with the Art Society of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Group of Painters, and even held an exhibition at London’s Tasmania House in 1958.
In 1954, Holmes won an art competition that marked Hobart’s sesquicentenary.
Overseas travel in the 1950s and 1960s exposed her to new influences. She continued to be very interested in portraiture, still-life and landscapes.
Beyond art, Holmes was active in the Victoria League, the English Speaking Union and the Women’s Non-Party League of Tasmania, and was a life member of the local division of the United Nations Association. For her time she was ‘was widely recognised as a philanthropist and environmentalist’.
Death and legacy
Holmes passed away in Hobart on 26 August 1973, aged 80.
She was buried at Forcett Cemetery.
Her work is represented by the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Devonport City Council permanent collection at the paranaple Art Centre, and in several private collections.
Appearance
Sue Backhouse describes Holmes as:
“Tall and slender, with a striking figure, she had strong features with good bone structure. Her hair was dyed a wonderful orange colour and it flowed violently over her forehead almost covering up her bright eyes. [S]he sported large, old-fashioned hats … scarves and wide belts of amazing colour and pattern that allowed her to stand out from the crowd.”
A painting by Edith Lilla Holmes of Mount Direction which was visible from her home.
Bibliography
- ‘Edith Lilla Holmes’ (Tasmanian Government).
- ‘Holmes, Edith Lilla’ (1893–1973).
- ‘Edith Holmes – An Artist with a Personal Outlook’ (Pauline Conolly).
Featured image above: Mount Wellington from Carlton. Oil on canvas on board, 49.5 x 46.5 cm.
