BOWRING, Walter Armiger R.B.A. 1874–1931

Born Auckland, son of Alfred Bowring who arrived in Auckland 1856. Educated at Auckland Grammar School: studied art with Kennett Watkins and L. J. Steele. Worked as a cartoonist for New Zealand Observer until 1895, understudying W. Blomfield, for the Spectator Christchurch, and then as a free lance for Weekly Press, later on the staff. Exhibited with CSA 1901–04 and was listed as a Christchurch artist 1898–1901, in Wise's. Went to London 1905 and studied with Orpen and John. On his return to Christchurch he painted portraits of many public figures. Exhibited in NZ International Ex. Chch 1906–07, as a Christchurch painter, but then appeared to have moved to Wellington for some years, exhibiting with NZ Academy of Fine Arts 1908–09, with CSA again in 1910–12 as a Christchurch member and 1914–16 from Napier. Revisited England 1921–24: was elected Member of the Royal Society of Oil Painters and of the Chelsea Art Club, and contributed to Punch. Settled in Sydney 1925, was a member of the Council of Royal Art Society. Died in Sydney. Exhibited a self portrait with the NZ Academy of Fine Arts in 1929: work was included in Centennial Ex. Represented in NAG (one of the portraits there being of Katherine Mansfield's father Sir Harold Beauchamp), Turnbull, Hocken and McDougall.