Martha Sturdy facts for kids

Martha Sturdy is a famous Canadian artist and designer. She was born in 1942. She first became known in the 1970s for her unique "wearable sculptures." These were like art you could wear! Later, she started making beautiful furniture and home items. She used materials like resin, steel, brass, and old cedar wood. Her studio now creates special furniture and art for big fashion and hotel companies. Some of her clients include Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Louis Vuitton.

Early Life and Education

Martha Varcoe was born in 1942. Her hometown is Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She loved art and studied visual arts at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She finished her studies there in 1978.

Martha Sturdy's Art Career

When Martha Sturdy first started her art career, she had to be creative. She was a new art school graduate. This meant she had limited materials and space. So, she began by making smaller pieces.

Wearable Sculptures and Fashion

Martha Sturdy soon became famous around the world. She was known for her "functional art" and designs. Her special wearable sculptures were featured in popular fashion magazines. These included Elle, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar. Her art also appeared in fashion shows for top designers. Some of these designers were Donna Karan, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs, and Calvin Klein.

Expanding to Larger Artworks

As Martha's art studio grew, she could create bigger pieces. She started making custom furniture and special fixtures. She also created large artworks. Her sculptures use different materials. These include steel for wall art and standing pieces. She also uses salvaged wood.

Martha Sturdy's art often focuses on nature. She likes to create large, impressive pieces. Her goal is to make art that reflects the beauty and balance of our environment. In The Wall Street Journal, a writer named Sarah Medford described one of Sturdy's pieces. It was called "Steel Screen" (made in 2017). Sarah said it looked "serene as an Asian landscape painting." She also noted its powerful size, being 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide.

Public Art and Exhibitions

Martha Sturdy's "Reflections" sculpture series was shown at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver. She has a large outdoor sculpture at the Vancouver General Hospital. There is also a steel artwork at the Diana Krall Centre, also at the hospital. Martha Sturdy shows her work at international design fairs. One of these is Maison et Objet in Paris, France. She also helps guide the Audain Art Museum Foundation.

Awards and Special Projects

Martha Sturdy has received important awards. In 2002, the Governor General of Canada gave her a Golden Jubilee Medal. This award celebrates Canadians who have made great contributions. In 2005, she became a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA). This is a special honor for Canadian artists.

Martha was also asked to create art for important places. In 2010, she made a permanent art installation for the Vancouver Olympic Village. In 2012, she created another permanent artwork. This one is located in downtown Tokyo, Japan.