Hannah Frank facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Hannah Frank

Born	(1908-08-23)23 August 1908 Glasgow, Scotland
Died	18 December 2008(2008-12-18) (aged 100) Glasgow, Scotland
Nationality	Scottish
Alma mater	University of Glasgow Glasgow School of Art
Known for	sculpture, drawing
Movement	art nouveau
Spouse(s)	Lionel Levy
Awards	James McBey prize, Glasgow School of Art

Hannah Frank (born August 23, 1908 – died December 18, 2008) was a talented artist and sculptor from Glasgow, Scotland. She was famous for her beautiful black and white drawings, which had a special style called Art Nouveau. Later in her life, around 1952, she decided to focus mainly on creating sculptures.

Hannah Frank's Early Life and Learning
Hannah Frank's Community Work
Later Life and Exhibitions
- Touring Exhibitions and Legacy
Hannah Frank's Artistic Style
- Drawing Styles and Focus
- Shift to Sculpture
Archives
See also

Hannah Frank's Early Life and Learning

Hannah Frank's parents came from Russia. Her father, Charles Fraiker, moved to Scotland in 1905. He changed his name to Frank. Hannah's mother, Miriam Lipctz, also came from Russia. Her family settled in Glasgow, where they ran a shop.

The Frank family lived in a part of Glasgow called Gorbals. This area had a strong Jewish community. When Hannah was 13, her family moved to Crosshill.

School Days and University

Hannah went to several schools in Glasgow. She earned her Intermediate Certificate in 1924. This showed she was good at English, Maths, Latin, French, Science, and Drawing. In 1926, she got her Higher Certificate.

From 1926 to 1930, Hannah studied at the University of Glasgow. She took classes like Latin, English, and French. She also studied German at Skerry's College. She was very good at languages. Hannah earned her Master of Arts degree in 1930.

While at university, Hannah was active in student groups. She joined the Jewish Society and the Zionist Branch. She also wrote poems and drew pictures for the Glasgow University Magazine. She used the pen name "Al Aaraaf." This name came from a poem by Edgar Allan Poe.

Artistic Beginnings

Hannah's drawings for the university magazine were very popular. One editor, Gilbert Highet, tried to publish her work in another magazine. He even bought one of her drawings himself! He thought her art was amazing.

After university, Hannah became a teacher. She also continued her art studies. She took part-time classes at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) for many years. She studied drawing, painting, and design. Her teachers included famous artists.

In 1929, Hannah won a prize at the GSA for her drawing called Sorcery. In 1934, she won the James McBey prize for wood engraving.

World War II and Sculpture

In 1939, Hannah married Lionel Levy. During World War II, her art showed the sad mood of the time. As a Jew with brothers in the army, she drew many thin, sad figures. These pictures showed the struggles of refugees.

During this time, Hannah also started clay modeling at the Glasgow School of Art. Her teachers, Paul Zunterstein and Benno Schotz, encouraged her. Sculpture soon became her main passion.

Hannah Frank's Community Work

Hannah Frank's art reached many people, especially in Glasgow's Jewish community. She often helped Jewish organizations raise money. She would donate or lend her artwork for charity events.

For example, in 1948, she designed a brochure cover. This was for the Glasgow Board for Jewish Education. In 1966, she gave an art piece to a women's group. This group raised money for Israeli orphanages.

Hannah also donated a sculpture in 1967. It helped raise money for an Israel emergency fund. In 1969, she gave a signed print for an auction. She and her husband were also part of the Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1985, she donated a piece for a raffle that raised about £700.

Later Life and Exhibitions

After 1952, Hannah focused mostly on sculpture. Her sculptures were usually small. They were made from plaster, terra cotta, and bronze. She often sculpted women, as she found their forms more interesting.

Her style was influenced by artists like Henry Moore. But Hannah's sculptures had their own unique look. They often had long limbs and elegant shapes. Her art was rooted in the Scottish Art Nouveau style.

In 1969, Hannah had an exhibition. People loved her work, and prints were made. In 1983, a big exhibition of her art took place in Glasgow. A book about her drawings and sculptures was published in 1988.

Touring Exhibitions and Legacy

From 2004 to 2009, a successful exhibition called Hannah Frank: A Glasgow Artist toured. It visited many places, including London. Hannah was very happy that people in London liked her art.

The tour ended at her old university, the University of Glasgow. Hannah, at 98 years old, was there for the opening. She received a standing ovation.

The University of Glasgow wanted to give Hannah an honorary degree. This was a special award for her "international distinction." The letter was sent the day before she passed away.

Hannah Frank's art continues to bring joy to many. Her work has been shown in exhibitions in Glasgow, Shetland, Dalbeattie, and Ayr.

Hannah Frank's Artistic Style

Hannah Frank's drawings often have a thoughtful, sometimes sad, feeling. This comes from the strong black and white contrast. Artists like the McDonald sisters and Aubrey Beardsley influenced her. But her art always had her own special style.

Her drawings look lively because of the strong contrast. They also have clear, simple lines. If you look closely, you'll see they are very different. Some are mysterious, some are bright, and some are calm. Most of her drawings were made between 1925 and 1952.

Drawing Styles and Focus

Hannah's drawing style changed over time. From 1925 to 1934, she focused on details. For example, in "Isabella or the Pot of Basil" (1928), you can see a skull in a vase. The strong black and white lines create a dramatic mood. Many drawings from this time were inspired by poems, some of which she wrote herself.

Artist Ann Marie Foster praised Hannah's drawings. She said Hannah could capture feelings with very few lines. This showed her great drawing skill.

From about 1939 to 1952, her style became brighter. White became the main color. She mostly drew women, often close-ups of faces. Her style became simpler. She moved away from trying to draw realistic features. This was common in the Art Nouveau movement. Her drawings from this time often included natural details like flowers, trees, animals, and the sun or moon. Examples include "Sun" (1943) and "Spring Frieze" (1945).

Shift to Sculpture

In 1952, Hannah started working on sculptures. She began this to improve her understanding of anatomy for her drawings. But she loved sculpture so much that she never went back to drawing. She continued making sculptures until 1998, when she was 90 years old.

Her sculptures were shown in important art places. These included the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy in London. One of her early sculptures was "Head" (Bobby Rosenberg, 1952). It took her weeks to finish.

Like her drawings, her sculptures had a simple but lively style. Most of her sculptures were also female figures. While her sculptures of heads were detailed, her full body figures often had no faces. This showed her focus on the body's shape. Her "Reclining Woman" (1963) is one of her most famous sculptures.

Hannah once said, "I did sculpture classes because I didn't know anatomy. I thought it would be good for my drawing – then sculpture took over. I was fortunate to have Benno Schotz as a mentor."

Hannah Frank lived in a care home near Glasgow in her later years. She is buried in Cathcart Cemetery in Glasgow.