Molly Macalister

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Molly Macalister
Born
Molly Morell Macalister

(1920-05-18)18 May 1920
Invercargill, New Zealand
Died12 October 1979(1979-10-12) (aged 59)
Auckland, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealand
Known forSculpture, painting, wood carving
Notable work‘Unknown Political Prisoner’ (1952), ‘Maori warrior’ (1964), ‘Little bull’ (1967)
SpouseGeorge Hajdu/Haydn

Molly Morell Macalister (18 May 1920 – 12 October 1979) was a New Zealand artist.[1][2] Known for painting, woodcarving, and sculpture, her work is held in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Early life

Macalister was born in Invercargill and was the daughter of Catherine Holmes McQueen and Morell Macalister, a partner in the law firm Macalister Brothers.[3]

Education

Macalister attended the Invercargill South School, Southland Girls’ High School, and the Chilton Saint James School in Lower Hutt. Her natural ability in drawing was noted as early as 1937.[3]

In 1938 Macalister enrolled at the Canterbury College School of Art (now Ilam School of Fine Arts). Although initially interested in painting and drawing she was drawn to sculpture and the teachings of Francis Shurrock. She assisted Shurrock in his work for the Education Court at the 1939–40 New Zealand Centennial Exhibition, Wellington. In her final year she won the sculpture prize.[3]

Career

Macalister's sculpture "A Maori Figure in a Kaitaka Cloak" in Auckland

As a teenager Macalister won several awards from the Royal Drawing Society in London.[3]

Between 1942 and 1943 she worked for the Otago University Museum, creating agricultural models and dioramas.[3]

From 1944 until 1949, and 1953, Macalister exhibited with the Auckland Society of Arts.[4] She also exhibited with The Group[5][6] in 1943[7] and 1968.[8]

Macalister was a founding member of the New Zealand Society of Sculptors and Associates and was made honorary life member from 1979. She played a key role in the 1971 international sculpture symposium in Auckland.[3]

Commissioned works by Macalister include ‘Maori warrior’ (1964) in Auckland’s Queen Street, ‘Little bull’ (1967) in Hamilton Gardens, stone carvings for the ark in the former Auckland synagogue (1968), and a bust of John A. Lee for the Auckland Public Library (1967).[3]

Personal life

Macalister moved to Auckland in 1943. She married George Hajdu (later known as Haydn) in Dunedin on 14 August 1945.

References

  1. ^ "Molly Macalister". findnzartists.org.nz. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Molly Macalister". Auckland Art Gallery. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Macalister, Molly Morell". www.teara.govt.nz. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Artists exhibited with Auckland Society of Arts". findnzartists.org.nz. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Artists exhibited with The Group". findnzartists.org.nz. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  6. ^ "The Group 1927 - 1977: an annotated bibliography - Heritage - Christchurch City Libraries". christchurchcitylibraries.com. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  7. ^ "The Group 1943". christchurchartgallery.org.nz. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  8. ^ "The Group 1968". christchurchartgallery.org.nz. Retrieved 3 October 2017.

Further reading

Artist files for Molly Macalister are held at:

Also see:

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