Design and Art Australia Online

Painter, born New Zealand and came to Australia with his family as a child. They named their Australian house Gisborne after the place of Elioth’s birth. Began art classes under Julian Ashton, whilst working as a drapers assistant during the day. First exhibited with Society of Artists in early 1900’s, and continued to do so for the remainder of his life.
In 1911 became manager of 'The Fine Arts’, a shop organised by Julian Ashton to sell local artists work. Began travelling and camping throughout country NSW to find inspiration for his work.
In 1922 two of his works were accepted by the Royal Academy in London for display.
Gruner’s mother died in 1923, allowing Gruner to travel overseas for the first time. He visited London, Paris, Italy and England. In 1928 his work was exhibited in the Salon des Beaux Arts in Paris.
Gruner had his first one-man exhibition in 1926 at the Macquarie Galleries. It was a sell out.
In 1930 Gruner returned to New Zealand for a lengthy stay. His paintings, however, were rarely seen there until they toured in a group show in 1964.
Gruner won the Wynne Prize, held by the AGNSW seven times during his career. In 1916 (Morning Light), 1919 (Spring Frost), 1921 (Valley of the Tweed), 1929 (On the Murrumbidgee), 1934 (Murrumbidgee Ranges, Canberra), 1936 (Landscape) and 1937 (Weetangera, Canberra).
The AGNSW held a exhibition of 100 loaned works of Elioth Gruner in 1932-33.
Gruner was hospitalised in 1927 for alcoholism and depression. In 1935 suffers a nervous breakdown and is again hospitalised. He died 17 October 1939.
In 1940, the AGNSW held a memorial exhibition of 252 of his works.

Writers:

Staff Writer

Date written:

1999

Last updated:

2013