Mary Fedden British, 1915-2012

  • Mary Fedden was one of Britain's finest and best loved contemporary artists and painted daily right up to 2012 when she sadly passed away aged 96.

     

    Born in 1915 she is most well known for her distinctive still life compositions, characterised by her bold use of colour, inventive perspectives and flat planes. Fascinated by early Ben Nicholsons and his wife Winifred and an admirer of the Scottish artist Anne Redpath and French painter Henri Hayden, Mary Fedden created striking yet harmonious scenes from the immediacy for her back garden to far away locations on her travels.

     

    Mary was the first female tutor at the Royal College of Art and her pupils included David Hockney amongst many other emerging artists.

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    Mary Fedden was born in Bristol and wanted to be a painter even as a child. Leaving Badminton School at sixteen, she studied at the Slade School of Art in London from 1932 to 1936 under the theatre designer Vladimir Polunin, who had worked with the Ballets Russes. She painted sets for professional performances at Sadlers Wells, but decided against stage design as a career. Returning to Bristol, she taught art and made a living by painting portraits. During the war she served in the Land Army and the Woman's Voluntary Service, and on settling in London she worked as a stage painter for the Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street and produced propaganda murals. In 1944 she was called up, and sent abroad as a driver for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI).

     

    In 1946 she resumed easel painting. She held her first exhibition at the Mansard Gallery in Heal's Department Store in 1947, showing a number of still life and flower paintings. She was subsequently commissioned to paint covers for Woman magazine. In 1949 she moved to Durham Wharf, a complex of studios on the Thames at Chiswick, where she still lives and works. In 1951 she married the artist Julian Trevelyan, whom she had met before the war. Together they travelled in Europe, Africa, India, Russia and America. Since 1946 Fedden has painted prolifically and has had regular exhibitions at the Redfern Gallery, the New Grafton Gallery and many other galleries throughout Britain. She painted murals for the Television pavilion at the 1951 Festival of Britain. From the late 1950s she taught painting at the Royal College of Art. In 1992 she was elected to the Royal Academy and she has been a member of the Royal West of England Academy at Bristol since the mid-1930s, serving as its President from 1984 to 1988.

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    Having studied at Slade School of Fine Arts under Vladimir Polunin a Russian scene painter who worked with the Ballets Russes and with Pablo Picasso when Mary completed her studies she briefly designed sets for Sadler’s Wells before returning to Bristol. Polunin’s influence was evident in her opulent palette, which was very reminiscent of the lavish colours of the ballet’s sets and costumes.

    Fedden was endlessly fascinated by the shape and form of everyday objects and carefully orchestrated her compositions to draw out the unique individuality of each of these objects be it patterns on vases, butterfly wings or decorative stones and dishes. Mary claimed the objects had no symbolic meaning , they were simply things she loved to paint. The works mainly feature landscapes or still life compositions but equally as interesting are her depictions of cats. As a cat owner she was well acquainted with their uncanny mannerisms.

    Mary Fedden’s paintings remain highly sought after, and reputable galleries such as Contemporary Six offer collectors the opportunity to purchase her work. Located both in City Centre, Manchester and Hale, Cheshire, Contemporary Six is known for curating exceptional pieces from modern British artists, including Fedden. The gallery provides expert advice and guidance for collectors, whether they are purchasing their first piece or adding to an existing collection. With her enduring popularity, acquiring an original Fedden painting is a valuable investment, both financially and artistically.

    As the first female tutor at the Royal College of Art, Fedden played a significant role in shaping the careers of many young artists, including David Hockney. She encouraged students to explore colour, form, and personal expression while staying true to their artistic instincts. Beyond academia, her work continues to inspire contemporary artists, many of whom admire her ability to balance simplicity with depth. Contemporary Six, a gallery that celebrates modern British art, frequently features her paintings alongside works by other influential artists.

    Although best known for her paintings in oil and acrylic, Fedden also produced watercolours, drawings, and limited-edition prints. Her watercolours often showcased the same subjects as her paintings but with a more delicate, fluid quality. She also worked on murals, most notably for the Festival of Britain in 1951. These various mediums highlight her versatility as an artist. Collectors looking for Fedden’s work in different forms can explore galleries like Contemporary Six, which regularly exhibits and sells her pieces.