Helen Mackay (sculptor) facts for kids

Helen Victoria Mackay (born April 2, 1897 – died 1973) was a talented British artist. She was well-known for creating beautiful sculptures.

Who Was Helen Victoria Mackay?

Her Early Life and Training

Helen Victoria Mackay was born in Cardiff, Wales, on April 2, 1897. Her father worked on railways and owned a quarry. Sadly, he passed away when Helen was still a child. Her mother then raised her in Wales.

Helen went to a school called Cheltenham Ladies' College. After that, she moved to London to study art. She attended the art school at the Regent Street Polytechnic. While there, she was very skilled at sculpting and won several medals for her work.

Becoming a Sculptor

After finishing her studies, Helen opened her own art studio in London. From this studio, she created many different types of sculptures. She made figures of people, animal sculptures, and even ornaments for gardens. Helen also created portrait busts, which are sculptures of a person's head and shoulders.

She used various materials for her art, including bronze, stone, lead, and wood.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Throughout her career, Helen Mackay showed her sculptures in many important art shows. She exhibited her work at the famous Royal Academy in London. She also showed her art at the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts and the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. Other places included the Society of Women Artists and the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

In 1932, she became an Associate member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors. This was a special recognition of her talent. Later, in 1952, she became a Fellow of the same society, which is an even higher honor.

Helen Victoria Mackay passed away in Fulham, London, in 1973.