Queen Margaret’s Paints the Past: School Mounts Famous Alumni Exhibition
Queen Margaret’s School, York has a long heritage of producing fine artists, and for the remainder of this term, some of the most famous alumni pieces will be on display within the School. The exhibition, which runs from 11 November until early December, features the work of six Old Girls who worked, or currently work, as professional artists. The range of work spans the complete history of the school from one of the first girls who entered the school in 1901 to a young artist who left in 2003. This is a rare chance for the pupils and those who come to the School to see this wide range of art displayed in one place.
Artists include Dorothy Hutton, Patricia Thomson Clay, Druie Bowett, Chloe Steele, Flora Roberts and Samara Scott.
Dorothy Hutton was one of the first girls to enter QM when it opened in 1901. Although principally an illuminator, her paintings were also shown at the Royal Academy. She served as the official artist to the Crown office and also had a long association with London Transport.
Patricia Thomson Clay left QM before WWI; by the 1920’s she was working in Florence, before returning to her native Scotland and exhibiting at the Royal Scottish Academy among other galleries.
Druie Bowett attended QM during the years the School was evacuated to Castle Howard in WWII. Her paintings, which became increasingly abstract, were often on industrial themes. She was a member of the Midland Group and a Royal Society of Arts Fellow.
Chloe Steele left QM in 1993, attending the Slade School of Fine Art. It was here that she was awarded the Henry Tonks prize for drawing. She exhibits her work both nationally and internationally.
Flora Roberts left in 1996 and studied at the Royal College of Art and receives commissions for murals in private homes as well as restaurants and hotels.
The youngest artist on display is Samara Scott who left in 2003, studying at Camberwell and Royal College of Art before receiving the “Emerging Artist” award from Converse/Dazed magazine in 2012.