Daphne Mayo
Encyclopedia
Daphne Mayo MBE
(1 October 1895-31 July 1982) is a significant 20th century Australian artist, most prominently known for her work in sculpture, particularly the tympanum of Brisbane City Hall
.
.
Despite her small frame, she produced many physically demanding works that were carved in situ. On her return to Brisbane in 1925, Daphne created a number of local works including:
, established with painter colleague Vida Lahey an Art Reference Library at the University of Queensland
in 1936, was a trustee of the Queensland Art Gallery
(1960–67), and left her private papers to The University of Queensland
's Fryer Library.
For campaigning vigorously for the arts in Queensland during this time she was awarded the Society of Artists' medal in 1938 and MBE in 1959.
The School of English, Media Studies and Art History at The University of Queensland established the annual Daphne Mayo Visiting Professorship in Visual Culture, featuring each year, a major world figure to visit Brisbane to speak about the latest trends, influences, and theories in their area of visual culture, and to give public lectures and take master classes with postgraduate students at The University of Queensland.
The Annual Daphne Mayo Lecture, also named in her honour, is presented by the University Art Museum and The School of English, Media Studies and Art History, in association with The Alumni Association of The University of Queensland Inc. and is dedicated to a leading Australian advocate of the visual arts. There is also an artists society named after her, the Friends of Daphne Mayo.
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
(1 October 1895-31 July 1982) is a significant 20th century Australian artist, most prominently known for her work in sculpture, particularly the tympanum of Brisbane City Hall
Brisbane City Hall
Brisbane City Hall, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, is the seat of the Brisbane City Council. It is located adjacent to King George Square, where the rectangular City Hall has its main entrance. The City Hall also has frontages and entrances in both Ann Street and Adelaide Street...
.
Early life
Born in Balmain, Sydney in 1895, she was educated in Brisbane, and received a Diploma in Art Craftsmanship from the Brisbane Central Technical College in 1913. At the college she was strongly influenced by L.J Harvey who initiated her interest in modelling. She further developed her skills in this medium when she was presented with an opportunity to go to London in 1919 through an art scholarship provided by Queensland Wattle League. There she took a position as an assistant sculptor before her acceptance into the Sculpture School of the Royal AcademyRoyal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
.
Prominent Works
- The Brisbane City HallBrisbane City HallBrisbane City Hall, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, is the seat of the Brisbane City Council. It is located adjacent to King George Square, where the rectangular City Hall has its main entrance. The City Hall also has frontages and entrances in both Ann Street and Adelaide Street...
Tympanum (1927–30). The tympanum represents a relief of early settlement entitled The progress of civilisation in the State of Queensland. This sculpture has been considered one of the most important Brisbane sculpture commissions ever awarded. - The Queensland Women's War Memorial (1929–32) located in Brisbane's Anzac SquareAnzac Square, BrisbaneANZAC Square, named in honour of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, is a Queensland state memorial to men and women who participated in overseas armed service. It is located between Ann Street and Adelaide Street , in Brisbane, Australia. ANZAC Square is adjacent to ANZAC Square Arcade...
is a sandstone relief of a military procession. The first war memorial depicting servicewomen, this piece is also important for highlighting the important contribution made by women to the tradition of war memorials. - A statue of Major General Sir William GlasgowWilliam GlasgowWilliam Glasgow was an American art director. He was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Art Direction for the film Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte.-External links:...
(1961–64).
Public service
She lobbied successfully on numerous occasions for funding for the fledgling Queensland Art GalleryQueensland Art Gallery
The Queensland Art Gallery is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre, and is located nearest to Brisbane River at South Bank...
, established with painter colleague Vida Lahey an Art Reference Library at the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
in 1936, was a trustee of the Queensland Art Gallery
Queensland Art Gallery
The Queensland Art Gallery is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre, and is located nearest to Brisbane River at South Bank...
(1960–67), and left her private papers to The University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
's Fryer Library.
For campaigning vigorously for the arts in Queensland during this time she was awarded the Society of Artists' medal in 1938 and MBE in 1959.
Legacy
The Daphne Mayo Visiting Professorship in Visual CultureThe School of English, Media Studies and Art History at The University of Queensland established the annual Daphne Mayo Visiting Professorship in Visual Culture, featuring each year, a major world figure to visit Brisbane to speak about the latest trends, influences, and theories in their area of visual culture, and to give public lectures and take master classes with postgraduate students at The University of Queensland.
The Annual Daphne Mayo Lecture, also named in her honour, is presented by the University Art Museum and The School of English, Media Studies and Art History, in association with The Alumni Association of The University of Queensland Inc. and is dedicated to a leading Australian advocate of the visual arts. There is also an artists society named after her, the Friends of Daphne Mayo.