Phyllis Bone

Elephant by Phyllis Bone
Aardvark by Phyllis Bone
Cat and Kitten by Phyllis Bone, Charles Henshaw & Son Foundry staircase

Phyllis Mary Bone RSA (15 February 1894 – 12 July 1972)[1] was a 20th century Scottish sculptor. She has the particular claim to fame as being the first female member of the Royal Scottish Academy.[2] Although primarily the creator of small figurines her works include several highly prestigious commissions, at national level.

Life

Phyllis was born in Hornby, Lancashire, the daughter of Dr D.J.M. Bone.

She was educated at St George School for Girls in Edinburgh then trained as a sculptor at Edinburgh College of Art (1912–18) under Alexander Carrick. During this time she also twice travelled to Paris, under a travel scholarship, to train specifically as an animal sculptor under Edouard Navellier.[1] Whilst a student she resided at 15 Blacket Place, Edinburgh.

In Scotland she quickly gained fame as an animal sculptor. At first she worked within the Holyrood Pottery but quickly became independent. She took up residence first at 5 Alva Street in Edinburgh where she lived until 1935.

She was elected an associate member of the Royal Scottish Academy (1939) (nominated by Benno Schotz) and was the first woman to ever become a full member (1940).

Originally she shared studios with the Scottish Colourists at the Albert Gallery, 24 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh. She latterly largely worked at the Dean studios in Dean Village (1935–50). From 1946 onwards she began spending more time in south-west Scotland, taking a second home in Newton Stewart whilst in Edinburgh thereafter only retaining a small basement flat at 7 Randolph Cliff. In 1950 she left Edinburgh permanently and joined an artists’ colony on the Solway Firth, living thereafter at Hillview, Barrhill Road, Kirkcudbright. She died in Dumfries Hospital and is buried in Kirkcudbright.

Her portrait (by Robert Sivell) is held in the Gracefield Collection in Dumfries.

Public Works

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/person.php?id=msib6_1204107282
  2. ↑ http://www.artistsfootsteps.co.uk/artists_a_z.asp?ID=10%20&loadType=2
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Buildings of Scotland: Edinburgh, by Gifford McWilliam and Walker ISBN 9780140710687
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://www.glasgowsculpture.com/pg_biography.php?sub=bone_p
  5. ↑ http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/perth/stjohnskirk/

External links