Sir Edward Wheewall Holden (1885–1947), industrialist and politician, started his career in his family's Adelaide saddlery business. Holden's Motor Body Builders Ltd was formed in 1917, after he designed a prototype standard body for imported chassis. The company began producing bodies for the American-owned General Motors in 1923, with Holden overseeing its further expansion. In 1931 GM bought the company – undertaking to maintain its Australian character – and Holden became chairman of General Motors-Holden's Ltd. He served as a Liberal member of South Australia's Legislative Council from 1935 to 1947 and was knighted in 1945. Thereafter he continued his corporate service with bodies including the South Australian Industries Assistance Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce and the Bank of Adelaide.
Leslie Bowles was born in Sydney and began his studies in modelling and carving in Brisbane. In 1910 he won a scholarship to study at the South London School of Sculpture and the Royal Academy School. After serving in the Royal Tank Corps in France from 1914 to 1919, he returned to Australia and worked on the production of dioramas for the Australian War Memorial. He was head sculptor at the Memorial from 1925 to 1931.
Bequest of John J Holden 2005
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
The life and achievements of Sir Edward Holden, who is represented in the portrait collection by a bust created by Leslie Bowles.
Drawn from some of the many donations made to the Gallery's collection, the exhibition Portraits for Posterity pays homage both to the remarkable (and varied) group of Australians who are portrayed in the portraits and the generosity of the many donors who have presented them to the Gallery.
