Nina Lucy Mary Jones (22 June 1871 – 8 February 1926) was a New Zealand artist and botanical illustrator.

Biography

Nina Jones was born in the

Christchurch Christchurch (; ) is the largest city in the South Island and the List of cities in New Zealand, second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand. Christchurch has an urban population of , and a metropolitan population of over hal ...

suburb of St Martins to Eliza and Charles Jones, before moving to

Nelson Nelson may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey * ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers * ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...

with her parents where she remained for the rest of her life. She was a water colourist who primarily painted landscapes and botanical paintings, and exhibited widely at New Zealand's local Art Society's exhibitions. For a time she also worked with metal and had examples of her work exhibited in a show held in Christchurch to celebrate

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in January 1901. Her reign of 63 year ...

's jubilee. Botanists from around New Zealand sent her samples to paint, a newspaper article of the time stated, "The amount of careful labour, the trueness of colour and regard to the habits of these bush flowers as well as the artistic perception of the artist must speak to all lovers of New Zealand native flora." Jones was involved in the arts both locally and nationally. She was involved in the Suter Arts Society since its inception in 1899. This was previously known as the Bishopdale Sketching Club of which she was also a member and secretary (1899–1925). Jones was involved in the National Arts Society as the Nelson vice president. Jones was requested by the

New Zealand Government The New Zealand Government () is the central government through which political authority is exercised in New Zealand. As in most other parliamentary democracies, the term "Government" refers chiefly to the executive branch, and more specifica ...

to submit 30 of her paintings of native flowers and fruits to be exhibited at the

British Empire Exhibition The British Empire Exhibition was a colonial exhibition held at Wembley Park, London England from 23 April to 1 November 1924 and from 9 May to 31 October 1925. Background In 1920 the Government of the United Kingdom, British Government decide ...

at Wembley in 1924–25. Jones exhibited at

Canterbury Society of Arts Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA, formerly the Canterbury Society of Arts) is a curated art gallery in the centre of Christchurch, New Zealand. The gallery is governed by the Canterbury Society of Arts Charitable Trust. History The Canterbu ...

and

New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts (also referred to as the Wellington Art Society) was founded in Wellington in July 1882 as The Fine Arts Association of New Zealand. Founding artists included painters William Beetham (first president of the As ...

Death

Jones died on 8 February 1926 at her home in Franklyn Rise, Nelson, and was buried in

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, a city in the United States * Richmond, London, a town in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, England * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town ...

Cemetery on 9 February 1926. After her death, Jones's works were left in trust to the people of Nelson and they are now held in the

Nelson Provincial Museum The Nelson Provincial Museum, ''Pupuri Taonga O Te Tai Ao'' is a regional museum in the city of Nelson, New Zealand, Nelson, New Zealand. The museum showcases the Nelson and Tasman regions' history, from geological origins to the stories of indiv ...

Legacy

An exhibition celebrating her career as an artist was held at the Suter Gallery in October 1926 and showed nearly 250 of her paintings. A review of the exhibition stated, "The exhibition was of a much more extensive and comprehensive nature than most folks anticipated. The fine artistic touch, noticeable in every picture shown, was greatly admired. The collection is unique and the artist's work is destined to be of much value for all time to come."

Gallery

Image:Pimelea traversii by Nina Jones ac114.jpg, Pimelea Image:(Olearia insignis) by Nina Jones ac127.jpg, Olearia insignis Image:Nothofagus solanderi by Nina Jones ac124.jpg, Nothofagus solanderi Image:Coprosma acerosa by Nina Jones ac139.jpg, Coprosma acerosa Image:Passiflora tetrandra by Nina Jones ac125.jpg, Passiflora tetrandra Image:Orthoceras solandri by Nina Jones ac142.jpg, Orthoceras solandri

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Nina 1871 births 1926 deaths Artists from Christchurch New Zealand botanical illustrators 20th-century New Zealand painters 19th-century New Zealand painters Women watercolorists New Zealand landscape painters Artists from Nelson, New Zealand New Zealand women illustrators 19th-century New Zealand illustrators 20th-century New Zealand illustrators Burials at Richmond Cemetery, New Zealand 20th-century New Zealand women painters 19th-century New Zealand women painters