John Christie Wright
Encyclopedia
John Christie Wright was a Scottish-born Australian sculptor.
John Christie Wright was born in Aberdeen
and was educated in Aberdeen at Robert Gordon's Technical College (now known as Robert Gordon's College
) and then the Grays School of Art from 1907 to 1911, where he studied painting and sculpture under William Banbury and Harold T. Hughes, during which time he won the ₤50 Byrne scholarship.
The Robert Gordon’s College and Gray’s School of Art Central Institution General Register(Session 1904-1905) indicates that in the First Year Lithographers’& Engravers’ Course he was an exceptional student, achieving a 1st Grade in Drawing with marks of 97 (Examination); 96 (Laboratory Work), and; 99 (Class & Oral Work).
He was later awarded the Scottish national diploma in sculpture by Sir George Frampton
, (the only one won that year). He studied modelling and architecture under Beresford Pite at the Royal College of Art
in London then emigrated to Australia, arriving in Melbourne
in May 1912, and was appointed the first lecturer in art at the Teachers' College of Sydney University.
He created a large-scale model of Sydney's new Zoological Gardens then he was engaged by G. H. Godsell of the architectural firm Robertson and Marks to create reliefs for the facade of the Daily Telegraph (now known as 'The Trust Building' which is located at 72-72A Castlereagh Street, Sydney). and that of the Perpetual Trustee Company, which is located at Hunter Street, Sydney. The Telegraph works were the bronzes Commerce and Knowledge and the fine Arts and stone figures Justice and Truth. The statue Perpetuity for the Perpetual Trustee Company won for him the Wynne Prize
in 1915 (an annual Australian prize for "the best landscape painting of Australian scenery in oils or watercolours or for the best example of figure sculpture by Australian artists completed during the 12 months preceding the [closing] date").
He designed medals for the (Sydney) Society of Artists to commemorate the landing of Australian troops at Gallipoli
on 23 April 1915.
He was appointed Principal of the South Australian School of Arts and Crafts in February 1916, at the age of 26.
He enlisted on 13 April 1916,. The selection committee was aware of is enlistment but felt this should not disqualify him from appointment. He served in World War I
with the Australian Imperial Forces, and as Lieutenant Wright was killed in action in France in 1917.
There is a memorial prize, believed to have been donated by Gertrude Halley in his name, awarded annually to a student at the South Australian School of Arts. There is also a memorial fountain in his honour in Macquarie Place Park, Sydney.
In an article in the 19 May 1917 edition of the Adelaide "Advertiser", the Premier of South Australia, Crawford Vaughan
, said:
John Christie Wright was born in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
and was educated in Aberdeen at Robert Gordon's Technical College (now known as Robert Gordon's College
Robert Gordon's College
Robert Gordon's College is a private co-educational day school in Aberdeen, Scotland. The school caters for pupils from Nursery-S6.-History:...
) and then the Grays School of Art from 1907 to 1911, where he studied painting and sculpture under William Banbury and Harold T. Hughes, during which time he won the ₤50 Byrne scholarship.
The Robert Gordon’s College and Gray’s School of Art Central Institution General Register(Session 1904-1905) indicates that in the First Year Lithographers’& Engravers’ Course he was an exceptional student, achieving a 1st Grade in Drawing with marks of 97 (Examination); 96 (Laboratory Work), and; 99 (Class & Oral Work).
He was later awarded the Scottish national diploma in sculpture by Sir George Frampton
George Frampton
Sir George James Frampton, RA was a notable British sculptor and leading member of the New Sculpture movement.-Early life and career:...
, (the only one won that year). He studied modelling and architecture under Beresford Pite at the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
in London then emigrated to Australia, arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in May 1912, and was appointed the first lecturer in art at the Teachers' College of Sydney University.
He created a large-scale model of Sydney's new Zoological Gardens then he was engaged by G. H. Godsell of the architectural firm Robertson and Marks to create reliefs for the facade of the Daily Telegraph (now known as 'The Trust Building' which is located at 72-72A Castlereagh Street, Sydney). and that of the Perpetual Trustee Company, which is located at Hunter Street, Sydney. The Telegraph works were the bronzes Commerce and Knowledge and the fine Arts and stone figures Justice and Truth. The statue Perpetuity for the Perpetual Trustee Company won for him the Wynne Prize
Wynne Prize
The Wynne Prize is an Australian landscape painting or figure sculpture art prize. One of Australia's longest running art prizes, it was established in 1897 from the bequest of Richard Wynne...
in 1915 (an annual Australian prize for "the best landscape painting of Australian scenery in oils or watercolours or for the best example of figure sculpture by Australian artists completed during the 12 months preceding the [closing] date").
He designed medals for the (Sydney) Society of Artists to commemorate the landing of Australian troops at Gallipoli
Gallipoli
The Gallipoli peninsula is located in Turkish Thrace , the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles straits to the east. Gallipoli derives its name from the Greek "Καλλίπολις" , meaning "Beautiful City"...
on 23 April 1915.
He was appointed Principal of the South Australian School of Arts and Crafts in February 1916, at the age of 26.
He enlisted on 13 April 1916,. The selection committee was aware of is enlistment but felt this should not disqualify him from appointment. He served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
with the Australian Imperial Forces, and as Lieutenant Wright was killed in action in France in 1917.
There is a memorial prize, believed to have been donated by Gertrude Halley in his name, awarded annually to a student at the South Australian School of Arts. There is also a memorial fountain in his honour in Macquarie Place Park, Sydney.
In an article in the 19 May 1917 edition of the Adelaide "Advertiser", the Premier of South Australia, Crawford Vaughan
Crawford Vaughan
Crawford Vaughan , was Premier of South Australia between 3 April 1915 and 14 July 1917.Vaughan unsuccessfully campaigned for a seat in the Australian House of Representatives in 1901, and for the Australian Senate in 1903...
, said:
The news of the death of Lieutenant Wright, principal of the Adelaide School of Art, came as a great blow to me. Lieutenant Wright was a young man of high attainments and of brilliant promise. He was selected by the Government for the post of principal of the School of Art after he had actually enlisted, but he was able to devote a few weeks before he left for the front to reorganising his department. In that brief time he displayed excellent capabilities as a teacher and as an organiser. As a sculptor he attained high distinction, and his figures which cap the 'Sydney Daily Telegraph' building are a particularly fine artistic achievement, both in conception and execution. He was a man who could ill be spared, but, having heard the cry and call of duty, he went forth to fight for the liberty of others.