Molly Macalister facts for kids

Molly Morell Macalister (born May 18, 1920, died October 12, 1979) was a talented artist from New Zealand. She was famous for her amazing paintings, detailed wood carvings, and powerful sculptures. Many of her artworks are now kept at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, which is a very important museum.

Molly Macalister's Early Life

Molly Macalister was born in a town called Invercargill in New Zealand. Her parents were Catherine Holmes McQueen and Morell Macalister. Her father was a lawyer, working with his family's law firm, Macalister Brothers.

Molly's School Days and Art Training

Molly went to several schools, including Invercargill South School and Southland Girls’ High School. She also attended the Chilton St James School in Lower Hutt. Even when she was young, people noticed her natural talent for drawing, as early as 1937.

In 1938, Molly enrolled at the Canterbury College School of Art. This school is now known as the Ilam School of Fine Arts. At first, she was interested in painting and drawing. However, she soon found herself drawn to sculpture and the teachings of her art teacher, Francis Shurrock.

Molly even helped Mr. Shurrock with his work for the Education Court. This was for the big 1939–40 New Zealand Centennial Exhibition in Wellington. In her final year at art school, Molly won a special prize for her sculpture work.

Molly's Amazing Art Career

Macalister's sculpture "A Maori Figure in a Kaitaka Cloak" in Auckland

When Molly was still a teenager, she won several awards from the Royal Drawing Society in London. This showed how talented she was from a young age.

Between 1942 and 1943, Molly worked for the Otago University Museum. There, she created models of farm items and detailed dioramas. Dioramas are like 3D scenes that show a specific moment or place.

Molly showed her art in many exhibitions. She displayed her work with the Auckland Society of Arts from 1944 to 1949, and again in 1953. She also exhibited with The Group in 1943 and 1968.

Molly was one of the people who helped start the New Zealand Society of Sculptors and Associates. She was even made an honorary life member in 1979, which is a special honor. She also played a very important role in organizing an international sculpture event in Auckland in 1971.

Molly created many famous artworks that were specially ordered. Some of these include:

• ‘Maori warrior’ (1964), which you can see in Queen Street in Auckland.
• ‘Little bull’ (1967), located in the Hamilton Gardens.
• Stone carvings for the ark in the former Auckland synagogue (1968).
• A sculpture of John A. Lee for the Auckland Public Library (1967).

Molly's Personal Life

Molly Macalister moved to Auckland in 1943. She married George Hajdu in Dunedin on August 14, 1945. George later became known as George Haydn.

See also

In Spanish: Molly Morell Macalister para niños