Sybil Mary Frances Criag was born in London 1901 and returned to Australia with her parents and was educated in St. Kilda; grew up in a household frequented by artists and music; studied at the National Gallery of Victoria's school and Melbourne Technical College; first solo exhibition in 1932; foundation member of the New Melbourne Art Club; studio in Collins Street, Melbourne; official war artist; she had a keen sense of fun and was devastatingly direct; awarded the OAM; died at Surrey Hills and was buried in St. Kilda 1989.