MARY FEDDEN (BRITISH, 1915-2012)
Zebra
signed and dated 'Fedden 1987' (lower left)
oil on board
15.2 x 20.3 cm. (6 x 8 in.)

Provenance
The artist, from whom acquired directly by the family of present owner

From a very early age, Mary Fedden wanted to be a painter. She left school at 16 and went on to study at Slade Art School between 1932 to 1936. Born in Bristol in 1915, her departure to the capital city of London brought new experiences. She studied under the well-known theatre designer Vladmir Polunin; he had worked with Sergei Diaghilev on sets for the Ballet Ruses. This undoubtably influenced Fedden’s work; during the war years produced propaganda murals while working at the Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street. However, despite her formal training in set and theatre design, she decided shortly after to depart from this area to focus on painting. During the war years not only did she produce murals, but also worked as a driver for the NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes).

She later became characterised by her renderings of interesting still-life paintings, as is very much the case in the example her Still Life of Flowers, captured in such rich blue tones.

By 1949, Fedden had located to Durham Wharf studios on the Thames in Chiswick. Fedden sought inspiration from many sites, not only still life sets that she staged and created in and outside of her studio, but also her many trips abroad. In 1951, she married artist Julian Trevelyan and travel became an important part of their working practice. Many examples include Fedden’s many images of Zebras and other animals whereby she captured her marvel towards new places, things and experiences.

Fedden remains a significant artist, holding her own unique place among the trajectory of Modern British artist. In 1995, she herself acknowledged her own inspirations from many artist who had come before her.

‘I really float from influence to influence… I found the early Ben Nicholsons fascinating as were the paintings of his wife Winifred. I also admire the Scottish artist Anne Redpath…’ - The Artist Magazine, 1995

Her work went onto hold pride of place in many institutions, from the major exhibition at the Royal West of Academy in 1996, to Redfern Gallery, London in 1953 and New Grafton Gallery, London in the 1960s.

Fedden in no doubt went onto influence many British artists that followed her. She help a prestigious position as a tutor at the Royal Collage of Art between 1958-1964 – and was the first woman to do this. David Hockney and Allen Jones, became two examples of successful pupils who were taught by Fedden.

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