Kathleen Cox facts for kids

Kathleen Cox was an amazing Irish artist. She was born on July 2, 1904, and passed away in September 1972. She was known for her sculptures and was a pioneer in modern Irish pottery.

Early Life and Art Education

Christina Mary Kathleen Cox was born in Wo-Sung, China, on July 2, 1904. Her father, Dr. R. H. Cox, was from Dundalk, Ireland. He worked as a health officer in Shanghai. He was also an amateur geologist and enjoyed sculpting with clay.

A Father's Influence

Dr. Cox even invented a periscope that was used by the Royal Navy during World War I. Living in China left a big impression on young Kathleen. She loved the sights and culture there.

Moving to Ireland

In 1911, her family moved back to Ireland. They first lived in Listowel, County Kerry, and then in Howth, County Dublin. Kathleen went to Alexandra College.

Art School and Awards

In 1921, she started studying at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. She learned sculpture from a famous teacher named Oliver Sheppard. Kathleen was one of his best students. She won the Royal Dublin Society Taylor prize for her sculptures in 1925, 1926, and 1927. The money from these awards helped her travel to Paris in 1929.

Artistic Career and Later Years

Kathleen Cox started showing her art early on. In 1924, she exhibited at the Tailteann exhibitions. The next year, in 1925, she submitted designs for textiles to the Arts and Crafts Society.

Opening a Pottery Studio

In 1929, Kathleen opened a pottery studio in Dublin with her college friend, Stella Rayner. This studio was special because it had the first electric kiln in Ireland!

Exhibitions and Famous Works

In 1930, Kathleen showed her first piece at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA). It was a pair of Madonna bookends. She also created portrait masks of Brigid O'Brien and writer Norris Davidson. Kathleen continued to exhibit with the RHA from 1931 to 1933. She also showed her work at the Tailteann exhibition in 1932. During this time, she held exhibitions in her own studio. The artist Hilda Roberts even painted Kathleen's portrait, calling it Strange Spirit. Kathleen Cox in her studio. Kathleen often explored themes of womanhood in her art.

New Directions in Pottery

By 1932, Kathleen started making more commercial figurines. She was inspired by the Royal Doulton Burslem factory, where she worked for a while. One of her figurines was The lavender man, based on a Dublin street seller named Michael Clifford.

A Change of Heart

In the mid-1930s, Kathleen felt frustrated with her work. She wanted her art to have a bigger impact. In 1935, she visited a Chinese exhibition in London. This trip made her realize that pottery should be useful, not just decorative. When she returned to Dublin, she destroyed all her molds and sold her kiln.

Marriage and Family Life

In 1937, Kathleen married Alan Palmer. They had two daughters and moved to England. During World War II, Alan was a conscientious objector, meaning he refused to fight. The couple ran a farm in Meopham, Kent. After the war, they moved back to London. Kathleen Cox passed away in London in September 1972.

Where to See Her Art

Some of Kathleen's artwork is kept in the National Museum of Ireland. Four of her pieces were also featured in an exhibition called Not Just Pots: Contemporary Irish Ceramics of the 21st Century.

Exploring Mysticism

In the 1920s, Kathleen began to think differently about traditional religion. She also became a vegetarian. She found that her personal beliefs were similar to those of theosophy.

Joining a Movement

She joined the theosophy movement and gave talks at their meetings. She was greatly influenced by the Rev. William Hayes, who founded the Order of the Great Companions. He lived in Dublin in the 1930s.

Writing for Children

In 1970, Kathleen wrote and illustrated a children's book about world religions. It was called A story of stories. She published it under the pen name C.M. Kay.