Audrey Blackman facts for kids

Audrey Babette Blackman (born Seligman) was a talented British artist. She was known for making sculptures and pottery. Audrey was born on July 28, 1907, and passed away on July 17, 1990.

Discovering Audrey Blackman's Art

Early Life and Education

Audrey Blackman was born in London, England. She grew up in Leatherhead, Surrey. Her mother, Hilda, was also a sculptor and a writer. Her father, Richard Seligman, was a chemical engineer.

Audrey went to Wimbledon High School in London. After that, she spent two years in Austria. From 1924, she studied at a special art school called Kunstgewerbeschule in Graz. She then returned to England to continue her art studies. She attended Goldsmiths College School of Art until 1930. Later, she studied at the University of Reading from 1931 to 1935.

Her Artistic Journey

Audrey Blackman started her art career making sculptures. She first used bronze to create small figures. After World War II, she began working with different materials. She started using terracotta and stoneware.

Later, she focused on making ceramic figures. She had a special way of working with clay. She would roll and flatten pieces of clay. Then, she would shape them into detailed figures. In 1978, she even wrote a book about her method. It was called Rolled Pottery Figures. Later in her life, Audrey also created more abstract art. This included paintings using watercolour and gouache.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Audrey Blackman was a regular artist at many shows. She often displayed her work with the Society of Women Artists (SWA). She also showed her art at the Royal Academy in London. Between 1939 and 1971, she showed about 48 pieces with the SWA. She became an associate member in 1952. By 1961, she was a full member.

Her work was also part of 17 Royal Academy exhibitions. This was between 1938 and 1960. She also exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts. Audrey was a member of the Art Workers Guild. She was very active in groups that supported arts and crafts. These included the International Academy of Ceramics and the Craft Advisory Committee.

Life in Oxford

Audrey Blackman lived in Boar's Hill, near Oxford. She married Geoffrey Blackman. He was a professor at Oxford University. Audrey was closely connected to St Cross College at Oxford University. The college has several of her sculptures and pottery pieces. A room there is even named in her honor.