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Ann Henderson (1921–1976) was a Scottish sculptor born in Thurso, Caithness, Scotland == Personal Biography == Ann Henderson was born into a farming family at Ormlie, near Thurso. From early childhood her desire to create in three-dimensional form was evident. She would delight in collecting clay from the local burn (stream) and forming shapes that her Mother would later bake in the oven. While a pupil at the Miller Academy, her art teacher recognised and encouraged her creative flair and was influential in persuading Ann’s parents to allow her to follow her desired route into sculpture. In 1940 Ann became a student at the ‘Sculpture School’ of the Edinburgh College of Art, graduating in 1945 (the only woman in her year). For achieving high results in her ‘Diploma of Sculpture’ she was awarded a Post-graduate scholarship. This enabled her to embark on further studies in the Sculpture School and as a result she was awarded a mayor travel scholarship that took her to Paris. There she worked under the guidance of the French sculptor Marcel Gimond, of the École des Beaux-Arts and also in Museums and Public Galleries in Paris. Meanwhile, in 1941 her family moved to a farm at Culrain in Easter Ross and it was to this farm that she returned as a student during her college holidays. Before embarking on her scholarship travels, Ann worked for a year as a Junior Assistant Teacher in the Sculpture School, returning to this position after her travel year. She was later promoted to Lecturer and subsequently to Senior Lecturer. Ann, diligent in keeping abreast of latest art developments and with the best interests of her students in mind, introduced new experimental teaching courses to the Sculpture School. Sadly her teaching career was to end with her untimely death. Ann’s sculptures would often begin life in her studio as clay maquettes. This method of working gave her the freedom to quickly create forms that grew and developed. Equally important to her methodology was her sketchbook into which she recorded her thoughts and sketched the natural forms that inspired her. Her choice of materials and techniques was very much dictated by the requirements of each individual project. She embraced new materials and was one of the first sculptors in Scotland to use polyester resin and fibreglass in any significant way. Ann’s main source of inspiration came from her interest in human and animal form which she explored from both a physical and psychological view point. Her sculptures ranged from the figurative to the abstract as the influences of realism gave way to that of cubism and abstraction. Ann’s book collection reveals her varied interests stretching from classical to tribal and contemporary art. Books illustrating the sculptures and drawings of Rodin, Mattisse, Manzù, Giacometti and Picasso are prominent in her collection. Picasso’s cubist approach and joy in combining materials, is reflected in her large plaster and bark sculpture ‘Hen Wife’ constructed in the forest. Her later development towards smooth uncomplicated form is illustrated in an untitled figure (see image, right). She said of her work simply that she liked to reflect the life around her. Ann’s sculptures have been exhibited in many of the important galleries in the United Kingdom including the annual exhibitions of the Society of Scottish Artists, the Royal Scottish Academy, the Royal Academy, London, and in Paris. She also undertook many public and private commissions of great diversity. Her academic successes included three RSA Annual Exhibition awards: The Keith Prize given for the best work by a student; the Ottilie Helen Wallace Prize for best work by a woman artist and the coveted Guthrie Award for the most outstanding work by a young Scottish artist. The Guthrie Award money enabled Ann to study in Greece for three months. Having experienced for herself the benefits of receiving such awards, she became a member of the Scottish Arts Council’s ‘young artists’ awards panel. Ann’s energy and enthusiasm was especially evident when she became involved in organising exhibitions. In 1969 she was instrumental in mounting an International Open Air Exhibition of Sculpture in Dunfermline, believed to be one of the first of its kind in Scotland. This was a venue she returned to in 1972 when she organised a second open air exhibition. Ann was also responsible for an imaginative scheme while convener for the RSA commemorative Exhibition In 1976. She died before the exhibition took place but her ideas were realised through her associates on the committee. While Ann’s studio in Edinburgh was central to her creative practice she balanced this with time spent at her Highland croft. There, she and her business partner took great pleasure in breeding and showing Highland Ponies and winning prizes at agricultural shows including the Royal Highland Show. While on the croft she worked on her sculptures in a makeshift studio space. Before her death she completed the reconstruction of a superb studio but sadly illness was to rob her of the opportunity to use it. Ann died on 14 April 1976 in her 55th year. Bill Scott her friend and colleague wrote of Ann after her death in the RSA Annual Report 1976: “We have lost a sculptor of maturity, energy and influence, an artist whose reticent authority and breadth of vision was above question...” Edward Gage, Art Critic for the Scotsman newspaper paying tribute to Ann, referring to her death, said that she was one of Scotland’s finest Sculptors whose art was in its prime. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ann Henderson」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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