B. 1894 – 1954 

Christian Waller (nee Yandell) was an illustrator of books, printmaker and stained glass window designer. After studying at the Castlemaine School of Mines, she moved to Bendigo and at age 14 exhibited an oil painting at the Bendigo Art Gallery. In 1910, she moved to Melbourne to study at the National Gallery School and started exhibiting at the Victorian Artists’ Society in 1913. 

In 1915, Waller married fellow artist Napier Waller of whom she was subject of his renowned 1931 Archibald finalist portrait. He had fought in WWI and was seriously wounded, losing his right arm. While married Waller illustrated books, including Alice in Wonderland, and designed stained glass windows, producing the first of their kind in Australia in 1930. 

After discovering Napier Waller was having an affair, Waller separated from him in 1937 and suffered a mental breakdown. In 1939 she travelled to New York, where she became a follower of African-American spiritual leader Father Divine. In 1940, persuaded by composer Jack Tallis, she moved home to Melbourne where she lived out her days as a recluse, producing religious stained glass windows. 

Waller’s prints and drawings are intricate and unusual, trading in a theosophical, fantastical, Pre-Raphaelite style. They are represented across public collections, including at the National Gallery of Australia (83 works) and National Gallery of Victoria (50 works).

To read a more in-depth biography of the artist, click here.