KELLY, Cecil Fletcher 1879–1954

Born in Christchurch: studied with Van der Velden and at Canterbury School of Art, in 1905 winning bronze medal for head from life in colour. Studied also in Europe. In 1908 he married his fellow student A. Elizabeth Abbot, the two eventually making their home at New Brighton where they sketched together among the sand dunes along the Estuary or in nearby fields. The story later current among the Kellys' students was that when the newly married Elizabeth put the first dinner she had cooked on the table, Cecil Kelly said, “Oh Elizabeth. Let's not eat it. Let's paint it”. Tradition also has it that earlier in his life he had worked in a circus. Their house at New Brighton became a meeting place for artists—as was their studio in Christchurch later after Kelly had been appointed as a teacher in still life at the School of Art. He as a painter specialised in landscapes in oil. It is believed that he always considered his wife the superior artist and was ready to sacrifice his own time to guard his wife from interruption. Now he is usually considered the superior painter. He exhibited and was on the Council of the CSA for many years. Exhibited: Royal Academy, Royal Scottish Academy, Royal Society of British Artists and at the page 144 Atkinson Gallery. Work was included in the National Centennial Ex Wtn 1940. Represented in major NZ art galleries.