B. 1900 – 1983

New Zealand-born Helen Stewart was best known for her vivid portraits, landscapes and abstract studies. Although she initially studied art in Wellington, Stewart soon moved to London where her practice expanded, influenced by the post-impressionist art scene. Later relocating to Sydney, Stewart studied among the iconic Australian artists of her time, including Thea Proctor, Margaret Preston, and Grace Cossington-Smith. 

Stewart is foremostly a modernist – her portraits and landscape utilise bright colour palettes and loose brushstrokes, expanding the boundaries of representation. As her career developed, however, she began to experiment with abstraction and minimalism, embracing novel approaches to artmaking. A founding member of the Thursday Group art collective, Stewart practiced art until her death in 1983. Her works are represented in institutions across Australia and New Zealand including the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Victoria University of Wellington.

 
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