Mina Robinson facts for kids

Mina Robinson was an Irish artist who was active from about 1890 to 1910. She is famous for starting the Irish Decorative Art Association.

About Mina Robinson

Mina Robinson was probably born in Belfast, Ireland. We don't know much about her early life.

In the early 1890s, Mina started teaching art classes. She first taught from her home in Cliftonville. By 1894, she moved her classes to Garfield Chambers. These classes became known as the Belfast school of pokerwork. Pokerwork is a type of art where designs are burned into wood. From these classes, Mina Robinson and another artist named Eta Lowry created the Irish Decorative Art Association.

The Irish Decorative Art Association

The main goal of the Irish Decorative Art Association was to show off their own artwork. They also wanted to help other artists share their creations.

In July 1894, the group held their first art show in Portrush. This show was a big success and became an event they held every year. The Belfast News Letter newspaper praised their first exhibition. At this show, Mina displayed her pokerwork designs and a chest made in a 17th-century style. Eta Lowry showed her beautiful art needlework.

In 1895, Mina exhibited a decorated oak 'settle' (a long wooden bench) at the Belfast Art and Industrial Exhibition. This might be the same bench that she later showed at the Arts and Crafts Society of Ireland exhibition in Dublin that same year. Today, a settle in the collection of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is thought to be this very piece.

Over time, the art school taught more types of art. Members started showing chairs, wall panels, mantelpieces (fireplace surrounds), music stands, and friezes (decorative bands). In the early years, their art showed a strong influence from Art Nouveau. This was a popular art style with flowing lines and natural shapes. However, from the 1890s, more Celtic patterns began to appear in their work.

The group's patron, Lady Londonderry, bought some pieces from their 1903 show. She bought them for her estate at Mount Stewart, County Down. The group continued to be successful. By 1910, they moved from Garfield Chambers to Wellington Place. After this time, we don't know what happened to Mina Robinson.