Irene Mary Browne facts for kids

Irene Mary F.C. Browne (born September 14, 1881 – died June 27, 1977) was a talented British artist. She was especially known for creating beautiful sculptures and pottery.

Life and Art of Irene Browne

Irene Browne was born in Fulham, London, in September 1881. She loved art from a young age. She went to several art schools to learn and improve her skills.

Early Art Training

Irene started her art journey at the Croydon School of Art. After that, she studied at the Westminster Technical Institute. From 1906 to 1911, she focused on making models and sculptures at Chelsea Polytechnic.

Achievements in Art School

While at Chelsea, Irene was very successful. She won many awards for her drawing and for her sculptures of people. In 1908, one of her artworks was shown at the famous Royal Academy of Arts in London. This was a big achievement for a young artist.

From Sculptures to Pottery

Irene first created sculptures using materials like bronze and plaster. She made figures, small medals, and tiny statues. Later, in 1919, she took a special course at the Putney School of Art. Here, she learned how to make pottery.

After this course, Irene started making figures out of clay. These are called earthenware figures. At first, she had her clay pieces baked in a special oven at the Fulham Pottery. But later, she bought her own kiln. A kiln is a special oven used to bake clay and make it hard.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Irene Browne continued to show her artwork in many places. She exhibited her pieces at the Royal Academy often. Her work was also displayed in cities like Manchester and Glasgow. She showed her art with groups like the Royal Hibernian Academy and the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts.

Her talent was recognized by other artists. In 1929, she became a member of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers. The next year, in 1930, she joined the Society of Women Artists. These memberships showed how respected she was in the art world.

Later Life and Legacy

Irene Browne lived in Richmond, London in Surrey for many years. Later, she moved to East Sussex. She passed away there in 1977.

Today, you can still see examples of her beautiful work. Some of her pieces are kept in important museums and galleries. These include the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Manchester Art Gallery, and Aberystwyth University. Her art continues to inspire people.