china painter, was born in Ascot, Victoria, eldest of the six children of Robert William Cadden, a grain merchant. In about 1907-08 Cadden studied china painting under J.A. Peach at the Sydney Technical College then continued her studies in the Art Department until about 1911. As a student she exhibited in the 1907 Women’s Work Exhibition at Melbourne (though not listed in the catalogue of the Sydney preliminary exhibition). From about 1910 she had a studio in the family residence, Ravenshurst, at Beecroft, and between 1912 and 1917 exhibited with the NSW Society of Arts and Crafts. Cadden, a china painter of considerable ability, decorated vases, tea and coffee sets, plates, wall plaques and buttons. She used motifs such as Australian and English garden flowers, peacocks and cranes, but excelled in cicada designs. Her later work shows the influence of Oriental art.

Writers:

Czernis-Ryl, Eva

Date written:

1995

Last updated:

2011