Ola Cohn facts for kids

Ola Cohn (born Carola Cohn) was a talented Australian artist. She was a sculptor, which means she made art by carving or shaping materials. Ola Cohn was also an author who wrote books. She is most famous for her unique "Fairies' Tree" sculpture in Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens. She created her art in a style called Modernism.

Ola Cohn's Early Life and Education

Ola Cohn was born in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. She went to school at Girton College in Bendigo. After school, she studied drawing and sculpture. She learned these skills at the Bendigo School of Mines.

Later, she continued her art studies in Melbourne. She attended the Swinburne Technical College. To learn even more, she traveled to London. There, she studied at the Royal College of Art. When she returned to Melbourne in 1930, she opened her own art studio.

Famous Sculptures and Books

Ola Cohn created many sculptures. She worked with materials like bronze, stone, and wood. Her artworks are now in many art galleries.

Her most famous works include:

• The Fairies' Tree in the Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne. She carved this tree between 1931 and 1934. She gave it as a gift to the children of Melbourne.
• A statue for the Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden in Adelaide. This sculpture was carved from limestone.

Fairies Tree in the Fitzroy Gardens

The Fairies' Tree also inspired her to write books. She published The Fairies' Tree in 1932. Then came More about the Fairies' Tree in 1933. Her book Castles in the Air was published in 1936. In 1964, she released Mostly Cats. Her life story, A Way with the Fairies, was published in 2014.

Ola Cohn's Art Career and Impact

Ola Cohn was a very active artist. She led the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. She was president from 1948 to 1964. She also helped start the Australian Sculptors Society. She was a member of other important art groups too.

Ola Cohn wanted more people to understand sculpture. She gave talks and showed how sculptures were made. She also taught sculpture lessons at her studio. Her studio became a special place for artists. During World War II, she even taught soldiers how to sculpt for fun.

From 1949 to 1951, Ola Cohn traveled around Europe and Iceland. In 1952, she won the Crouch Prize in Ballarat. She won for her woodcarving called "Abraham." This was the first time a sculpture had won this award.

Ola Cohn left her studio home to an adult education group. It is now called the Ola Cohn Memorial Centre. This center helps people learn new things. Her studio is a heritage-listed building. This means it is protected because it is important to history.

Awards and Recognition

Ola Cohn received special honors for her art. On January 1, 1965, she was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. This award recognized her great work in art, especially sculpture. In 2007, she was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. This honor celebrates women who have made a big difference in Victoria.