Anne Davidson
Encyclopedia
Anne Ross Davidson, DA was a noted Scottish sculptor and artist. Many of her commissioned works are on public view in Scotland and abroad.
, Aberdeen (1955–59), graduating top of her class with a DA (sculpture).
After training as an art teacher, she worked as principal teacher of art (1960–68) at Gray's School of Art
, her alma mater
. She would go on to work as a full-time sculptor. She returned to Gray's to lecture there on sculpture (1978–82).
, Suganya Chetty, who was then living in Edinburgh
.
, commissioned Davidson to create a small figure of St Margaret of Scotland to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the saint. Margaret had married King Malcolm III in the 11th century and the sculpture represents Margaret holding an open book and gently leading a small girl by the hand.
In 2003, during an audience with Pope John Paul II
, Tony Blair
, then UK Prime Minister, presented him with one of the 500 statues of St Margaret that Anne Davidson had designed. Other important religious commissions she created were:
. She was still teaching at three primary schools until she was incapacitated by illness in September 2008. She died three months later, aged 71.
), their four children and four grandchildren.
, the International Society of Christian Artists and the Society of Catholic Artists.
Early years
Anne Ross was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart School, Aberdeen. She went on to study sculpture at Gray's School of ArtGray's School of Art
Gray's School of Art is an integral part of the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen that is one of the oldest established fine art institutions in Scotland...
, Aberdeen (1955–59), graduating top of her class with a DA (sculpture).
After training as an art teacher, she worked as principal teacher of art (1960–68) at Gray's School of Art
Gray's School of Art
Gray's School of Art is an integral part of the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen that is one of the oldest established fine art institutions in Scotland...
, her alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
. She would go on to work as a full-time sculptor. She returned to Gray's to lecture there on sculpture (1978–82).
African Woman and Child
Her sculpture, African Woman and Child, was commissioned by the Edinburgh City Council to symbolise the city's stand against apartheid. The sculpture depicts a black woman standing with a young child in front of the suggestion of a shantytown. It was unveiled on 22 July 1986 by a then-exiled member of the African National CongressAfrican National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
, Suganya Chetty, who was then living in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
Secular works
Her sculpture of Robert the Bruce, commissioned by Aberdeen City Council, and on display in Aberdeen Town House, shows the heroic Scottish king in 14th-century armour carrying his shield and sword. Davidson used textured materials in the creation of the original models to produce the accurate decorative effects seen in the final casts. Other secular pieces include a figure of a Gordon Highlander officer for the Alick Buchanan-Smith Award, a statue of Mary, Queen of Scots and a series of ballet figures. The oil industry, the Royal Mail, William Grant and Sons Ltd., Glenfiddich Distillery and Aberdeen City Council were among other organisations and individuals who commissioned Anne Ross Davidson to model gifts and awards for them.Religious works
In 1993, Mario Conti, then Bishop of AberdeenBishop of Aberdeen
The Bishop of Aberdeen was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Nechtan...
, commissioned Davidson to create a small figure of St Margaret of Scotland to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the saint. Margaret had married King Malcolm III in the 11th century and the sculpture represents Margaret holding an open book and gently leading a small girl by the hand.
In 2003, during an audience with Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
, then UK Prime Minister, presented him with one of the 500 statues of St Margaret that Anne Davidson had designed. Other important religious commissions she created were:
- Relief sculptures in St Mary's R.C. Cathedral, Aberdeen
- External reliefs for the Church of St Paschal Baylon, Liverpool
- The Madonna and Child and St Columba statues in the St Columba Church complex, Aberdeen.
- St Paul the Apostle Church, Glasgow (her final large commission, completed in July 2008)
Later years
Between 1985 and 1998, she and her husband ran a popular sculpture workshop for the blind, funded by Aberdeen City Council. She taught art to children at schools throughout AberdeenshireAberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
. She was still teaching at three primary schools until she was incapacitated by illness in September 2008. She died three months later, aged 71.
Family
Anne Davidson was survived by her husband, Jimmy Davidson (a noted Scottish sculptor & calligrapherCalligraphy
Calligraphy is a type of visual art. It is often called the art of fancy lettering . A contemporary definition of calligraphic practice is "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious and skillful manner"...
), their four children and four grandchildren.
Affiliations
She was a member of the Royal British Society of SculptorsRoyal British Society of Sculptors
The Royal British Society of Sculptors is a registered charity whose aims are to promote and support sculpture. It has a worldwide membership....
, the International Society of Christian Artists and the Society of Catholic Artists.
External links
- Obituary at The ScotsmanThe ScotsmanThe Scotsman is a British newspaper, published in Edinburgh.As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 38,423, down from about 100,000 in the 1980s....
- Obituary at the P&J
- Entry at Who's Who in Art
- Davidson entry