Wendy Solling facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wendy Solling
Solling at the "French Painting Today" exhibition in Sydney, 1953
Born	1926 Maitland, New South Wales, Australia
Died	20 January 2002 (aged 75–76) Brevard, North Carolina, US
Nationality	Australian
Other names	Sister Angela
Occupation	Sculptor, Franciscan nun

Wendy Hope Solling (born in 1926, died in 2002) was an amazing Australian artist. She was a talented sculptor and also became a special kind of nun. Wendy Solling was one of the first women to become a priest in the Anglican Church in Australia.

Early Life and School

Wendy Hope Solling was born in Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. Her parents were Daisy Clarence and Fritz Peter Max Solling. She had two younger brothers, Michael and Peter.

Wendy went to primary school in Maitland. Later, she went to a boarding school called S.C.E.G.G.S. in Moss Vale, New South Wales. This was to help her health, as she often had breathing problems. At school, she was a leader and even captained the cricket teams.

In 1946, Wendy started studying art at the East Sydney Technical College. This school is now known as the National Art School. Her teacher there was Lyndon Dadswell, a famous sculptor. After she finished her studies in 1948, she went to the Slade Art School in London, England. Her sculptures were shown in exhibitions there and became very popular.

Becoming an Artist

Wendy Solling had her first art show all by herself in 1951. It was at the Galerie Apollinaire. After this, important people asked her to create sculptures of them. These included Sir Thomas White, who was Australia's representative in London, and singer Rosina Raisbeck.

As a sculptor, Wendy used many different materials. She worked with stone, wood, and even metal like iron and wire.

In 1952, Wendy came back to Australia. She had more successful art shows, including one at the David Jones Art Gallery.

In 1955, Wendy Solling and Kathleen Shillam were the only women in a special art show. This show was for sculptors and was held at the David Jones Art Gallery. One of Wendy's famous artworks is a large mural called The Man from Snowy River. It is made from wood and copper wire and can be seen at the Ashfield Hotel in Sydney. Some of her other works are in the Anglican cathedral in Newcastle, New South Wales.

Her Religious Journey

Wendy Solling decided she wanted to become a nun. She wrote to Mother Gwenda Mary, who was in charge of the Poor Clares in England. Wendy was accepted and returned to England in 1955 to join the Community of St. Clare. When she became a nun, she chose the name Sister Angela. She liked this name because of a fun, rebellious cartoon character named Angela.

Sister Angela often wrote letters to Helen Joseph. Helen Joseph was a political prisoner and writer from South Africa. In 1971, Sister Angela met Helen Joseph at an airport in South Africa. This was during a trip Sister Angela made to Australia to care for her sick mother.

In 1972, Sister Angela came back to Australia. She was invited by the Bishop of Newcastle, Ian Shevill. She lived in a church house in Stroud, New South Wales. Two other sisters, Alison Francis and Caroline Mary, came with her. Soon after, Sister Marilyn joined them.

Between 1978 and 1980, the nuns built a monastery for their growing group. Sister Angela helped plan the buildings, seeing it as a "work of Sculpture." The new buildings were officially opened in 1980.

Sister Angela supported the idea of women becoming priests. In 1989, she became a deacon. Then, in 1992, she became a priest at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle. This was a very important moment, as it was the first year women could become priests in the Anglican Church of Australia.

In 1993, the monastery joined the Order of St Francis. Sister Angela added more buildings to the monastery. These new areas were open to other women who wanted to learn about spirituality and Indigenous culture. These buildings were called Gunya Chiara, which means 'meeting place' in an Indigenous language.

Towards the end of her life, Sister Angela faced health challenges. She moved to the United States in 2000. The monastery community ended when she left, as she was the only sister remaining. She lived in Boston and North Carolina for her last two years.

Her Passing

Wendy Solling was very active, even riding horses, until she had a stroke and passed away. She died on January 20, 2002. A funeral service was held for her in Brevard, North Carolina. Memorial services were also held in Newcastle, Australia, and at the Stroud Monastery. After her death, her ashes were spread in both the United States and Australia.