Ann Henderson (sculptor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann Henderson
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Ann Henderson (c.1945)
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Ann Henderson
11 October 1921 Ormlie, Thurso
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| Died | 13 March 1976 (aged 54) |
| Nationality | Scottish, British |
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| Known for | Sculpture |
Ann Henderson (born October 11, 1921 – died March 13, 1976) was a talented Scottish sculptor. She was born in Thurso, Caithness, Scotland. Ann taught sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art for nearly 20 years. In 1973, she became a member of the Royal Scottish Academy, which is a big honor for artists in Scotland.
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Ann Henderson's Life and Art
Ann Henderson grew up on a farm near Thurso. When she was a student at the Miller Academy, her art teacher noticed how creative she was. This teacher helped convince Ann's parents to let her study sculpture.
In 1940, Ann started studying sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art. She was the only woman in her class when she graduated in 1945. Because she did so well, she won a special scholarship. This allowed her to study even more. She later won a major travel scholarship that took her to Paris, France. There, she learned from a famous French sculptor named Marcel Gimond at the École des Beaux-Arts. During her college breaks, Ann would return to her family's farm in Culrain, Scotland.
Before her travels, Ann worked as a junior teacher at the Sculpture School for a year. She returned to this job after her time in Paris. Later, she became a Lecturer and then a Senior Lecturer. Ann brought new and exciting ways of teaching to the Sculpture School.
Ann often started her sculptures as small clay models in her studio. She loved trying new materials. She was one of the first sculptors in Scotland to use materials like polyester resin and fiberglass. Her sculptures changed over time, from realistic figures to more abstract shapes. She was inspired by artists like Picasso, who used different materials and cubist styles. For example, her large sculpture called 'Hen Wife' was made from plaster and tree bark.
Later, her sculptures became smoother and simpler. She once said that she simply liked to show the life around her in her art.
Ann's sculptures were shown in many important art galleries. These included annual exhibitions at the Society of Scottish Artists, the Royal Scottish Academy, and the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Her work was also shown in Paris.
Ann won several awards from the Royal Scottish Academy. These included The Keith Prize for the best student work. She also won the Ottilie Helen Wallace Prize for the best work by a woman artist. The Guthrie Award was another big prize she won for the most outstanding work by a young Scottish artist. The money from the Guthrie Award helped Ann study in Greece for three months. Later, she helped choose young artists for awards on the Scottish Arts Council panel.
In 1969, Ann helped organize an International Open Air Exhibition of Sculpture in Dunfermline. This was one of the first outdoor sculpture shows in Scotland. She organized another one in 1972. Ann also had great ideas for a special exhibition in 1976, but sadly, she passed away before it happened. Her friends on the committee made sure her ideas came to life.
While Ann had a studio in Edinburgh, she also spent time at her Highland croft. A croft is a small farm. There, she and her business partner raised and showed Highland ponies. Their ponies won prizes at big farming shows, like the Royal Highland Show. Ann even worked on her sculptures in a small, temporary studio at the croft. She finished building a wonderful new studio just before she died, but she never got to use it. Ann passed away in 1976 when she was 54 years old.
Her friend and colleague, Bill Scott, wrote about Ann after her death. He said that they had lost a sculptor who was mature, energetic, and influential. He added that her quiet authority and wide vision were truly special.
Studies and Teaching
- 1940-1945: Studied for her Diploma of Sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art.
- 1945-1946: Awarded a Post-graduate Scholarship.
- 1947-1948: Won a Travel Scholarship and studied in Paris at the École des Beaux-Arts.
- 1946-1964: Taught sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art, starting as a Junior Assistant Teacher and becoming a Senior Lecturer.
Awards and Honors
- 1945: Post-Graduate Scholarship for her excellent sculpture diploma.
- 1946: Major Travel Scholarship for her post-graduate work.
- 1952: RSA Keith Prize (for the best student artwork at the Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition).
- 1954: RSA Guthrie Award (for the best work by a young Scottish artist at the Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition).
- 1962: Ottilie Helen Wallace Prize (for the best work by a woman artist at the Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition).
Exhibitions
Ann Henderson showed her art often with the Society of Scottish Artists (SSA) and the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA). She also exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
- 1954: Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition, Edinburgh.
- 1957: Arts Council Festival Exhibition, Edinburgh.
- 1959: The 1957 Gallery, Edinburgh.
- 1964: Royal Scottish Academy Exhibition, Edinburgh.
- 1964: Four Scottish Artists, The Arts Council Gallery, Edinburgh.
- 1969: Open Air Exhibition of Sculpture, Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline.
- 1972: Open Air Exhibition of Sculpture, Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline.
- 1974: Eight Edinburgh Sculptors, Music Pavilion, Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline.
Permanent Collection
Ann Henderson's sculpture 'Venus and Chair' (made of bronze) is part of the permanent collection at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Memberships
- Member of the Scottish Arts Council panel, which gives awards to young artists.
- 1955: Professional Member, Society of Scottish Artists.
- 1968: Associate, Royal Scottish Academy.
- 1973: Member, Royal Scottish Academy.
Public Artworks
Ann Henderson created several artworks for public places. These are called "commissions."
- 1956: 'Education' (a carved granite sculpture) at Thurso High School, Thurso, Scotland. Ann gave her time for free, and the local education committee paid for the stone.
- 1958: 'Agriculture' (a colorful concrete relief) on the side of the School of Agriculture, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
- 1962: 'Sculpture Light Fitting' (made of chromium and steel) for British European Airways Corporation in Edinburgh, Scotland.
- 1964: 'Music' (a bronze sculpture) at the Music Pavilion, George Watson School, Edinburgh.
- November 1971: 'Man with Sheep' (a carved stone sculpture) in Market Square, Galashiels, Scotland.
- 1963-1964: 'They knew him in the Breaking of Bread' (a carved stone artwork) at Refractory, Nunraw Monastery, Haddington, Scotland.
