Elisabeth Monz was born at Coulsen near Boonah on 27 November 1908, the eldest child and only daughter in a family of six children born to Rudolf Monz and his wife Elisabeth Frieda née Ensinger. She was educated at the local state school and the Leichhardt State School when the family moved to Brisbane in 1920. She was, by the time she was in her early teens, required to assist her mother in running the manse attached to St Andrew’s Lutheran Church where her father was minister.

Monz enrolled in the domestic science course at the Central Technical College and later studied art under Martyn Roberts and pottery and wood carving under L. J. Harvey . Her pottery is dated from 1927 to 1930 so it is clear she did not pursue this craft after her study at the College. Although she did not exhibit her pottery, she exhibited drawings, textile work, poker work and principally leather work at the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association 1946-79, agricultural society exhibitions at Rockhampton 1948-64, Mt Morgan 1948, Toowoomba 1948-51, Parramatta 1948-54, Cleveland and Sandgate suburban shows and the Queensland Industries Fair in 1949 and 1955. Monz received many prizes during this period. She died in Brisbane on 27 March 1988.

Queensland Art Gallery: Research Curator, Queensland Heritage

Writers:

Cooke, Glenn R. Note: Research Curator, Queensland Heritage, Queensland Art Gallery

Date written:

2003

Last updated:

2011