Mary Fedden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Fedden
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 14 August 1915 Bristol, England
|
| Died | 22 June 2012 (aged 96) |
| Education |
|
| Movement | Modernism |
| Spouse(s) |
Julian Trevelyan
(m. 1951; died 1988) |
| Elected |
|
Mary Fedden (born August 14, 1915 – died June 22, 2012) was a famous British artist. She was known for her bright and lively paintings. Mary Fedden was also a teacher and a member of important art groups.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mary Fedden was born in Bristol, England. She went to Badminton School in her hometown. When she was 16, she moved to London. There, she studied art at the Slade School of Fine Arts from 1932 to 1936. She loved her time at Slade, saying it was like "stepping from hell into heaven."
After her studies, Mary worked as a teacher. She also painted portraits of people. She even designed sets for plays at the Sadler's Wells Theatre. Later, she went back to Bristol to paint and teach more.
World War II Service
When World War II started, Mary Fedden helped with the war effort. She joined the Women's Land Army. This group helped farmers grow food. She also worked for the Women's Voluntary Service. She drove vehicles for the NAAFI in Europe. Mary also painted large pictures called murals to support the war.
Art Style and Inspirations
After the war, Mary Fedden developed her own special art style. She often painted flowers and everyday objects. These paintings are called still lifes. Her work reminded some people of famous artists like Henri Matisse and Georges Braque.
Mary said she was inspired by many artists. She admired the early works of Ben Nicholson and his wife Winifred Nicholson. She also liked the Scottish artist Anne Redpath. Another artist she looked up to was the French painter Henri Hayden.
Painting Techniques
Mary Fedden's paintings often have a bold and strong style. She used bright, contrasting colors. Sometimes, her later works used a softer range of colors. She often placed her still lifes in front of a landscape. She liked to mix different, even unusual, things in her art. When she used watercolors, she liked the rough feel of her favorite Indian papers.
Art Exhibitions
Mary Fedden's art was shown in many places. She had solo shows every year from 1947 until she passed away in 2012. Her art was displayed in galleries across the UK.
Key Exhibitions
- 1967 – Mansard Gallery, Heal's, London
- 1988, 1996 – Royal West of England Academy
- 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017 – Portland Gallery, London
- 2016 – Jerwood Gallery, Hastings
Art Projects and Groups
Mary Fedden was asked to create many murals. These are large paintings on walls. Some of her famous murals include:
- For the Festival of Britain in 1951.
- On the P&O ship Canberra in 1961.
- At Charing Cross Hospital in 1980 (with her husband).
- At Colindale Hospital in 1985.
- For schools in Bristol, Hertfordshire, and London.
In 1956, Mary became a member of the London Group. This was an important art society. She also led the Women's International Art Club for three years.
Art Collections
Mary Fedden's artwork is held in many public and private collections. This means her paintings are owned by museums, galleries, and even the Royal Family. Some places where you can find her art include:
- The Tate Gallery in London.
- HM the Queen's Collection (owned by the Queen).
- Pallant House Gallery.
- Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery.
- The Royal Academy of Arts in London.
- The UK Government Art Collection.
- Art galleries in cities like Bristol, Edinburgh, and Sheffield.
Teaching Career
Mary Fedden was also a respected art teacher. From 1958 to 1964, she taught painting at the Royal College of Art. She was the first woman tutor in the Painting School there. Some of her students became very famous artists themselves. These included David Hockney and Allen Jones. After that, she taught at the Yehudi Menuhin School from 1965 to 1970.
Personal Life
In 1951, Mary Fedden married another artist named Julian Trevelyan. They shared a studio by the River Thames in London for many years.
Later Career and Legacy
In 1995, a book about Mary Fedden's art was written by Mel Gooding. Another book by Christopher Andreae came out in 2007. These books helped share her amazing art with more people.
From 1984 to 1988, Mary was the President of the RWA. She was also a member of the Royal Academy of Arts. She received special honors for her work, including an OBE. She also received honorary degrees from the University of Bath and the University of Durham.
Mary Fedden was a close friend of the TV presenter Anna Ford. She continued to paint and was very popular until she died in 2012. She was 96 years old. She lived and worked in the same studio she shared with her husband for decades.
