The Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (MSWPS) originated in 1902 as a regular gathering of eight former students of Frederick McCubbin from the National Gallery School. These individuals referred to themselves as the Students’ Art Club and included Daisy Stone, Tina Gowdie, Annie Gates, Kate Allan, Ella Thorn, Henrietta Maria Gulliver, and an unidentified Miss Stock (who passed away in 1906). In 1905, they incorporated the indigenous term “Woomballano,” signifying either 'everlasting beauty’ or 'search for beauty,’ to identify their Art Club. In 1913, the group changed its name to The Women’s Art Club and later became the Melbourne Society of Women Painters in 1930. The present name, MSWPS, was officially adopted in 1954.
Initially, many of the early members of MSWPS were plein air painters associated with the Heidelberg School, which though often considered a male-dominated group, in fact had the participation of several women. As interest in the decorative arts grew at the beginning of the 20th century, the Society also attracted significant craftspeople. Through the 1920s approached notable female artists representing both the Meldrum tonal school and modernism joined.
In comparison to its Sydney counterpart, The Society of Women Painters (later renamed Women’s Industrial Arts Society), founded in 1910 in response to male-dominated art institutions and societies, MSWPS was less overtly feminist in its approach.
During the Second World War, MSWPS played an active role in the war effort by establishing volunteer headquarters at Grosvenor Chambers (9 Collins Street, Melbourne). There, they created and sold handcrafts and artworks to raise funds for the cause.
Since the passing of sculptor Ola Cohn in 1964, MSWPS has been holding its meetings at the heritage-listed Ola Cohn House located at 41-43 Gipps Street, East Melbourne. Ola Cohn was also the President of the Society from 1948 to 1964.
- Writers:
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- Date written:
- 2023
- Last updated:
- 2023
