Josephine Harris | |
---|---|
![]() Harris in her studio in south-west London | |
Born | 16 February 1931 |
Died | 28 September 2020 | (aged 89)
Nationality | British |
Alma mater | Plymouth College of Art |
Occupation | Artist |
Josephine Margaret Harris [1] (16 February 1931 – 28 September 2020) was a British glass engraver and painter.
Harris was born on 16 February 1931. Her father (Major Percy Harris) was a British Army officer and the family moved frequently. She was educated mainly by governesses, but she also attended the York School of Art while they lived in the city. [2] After the end of the Second World War, the family settled in Saltash, Cornwall, and she attended Moorfield School for Girls, a private school in Plymouth, from 1946 to 1948. [3]
In 1948, she enrolled at the Plymouth College of Art, where she learnt a careful observation of detail and skilful drawing under William Mann. [2] [3] She then worked at the Plymouth City Art Gallery, where she was involved in educating children about its collections and loaning pictures to local schools. [2] In 1958, she moved to London where she unsuccessfully applied to the Royal College of Art. [3] Instead, she gained employment as secretary and personal assistant to the Keeper of the Schools at the Royal Academy of Arts; first Sir Henry Rushbury and then his successor Peter Greenham. [2] [3] She continued painting, becoming a member of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1967 and exhibiting her work with the Royal Academy. [2]
In 1969, Harris attended a glass decorating class by Peter Dreiser at Morley College. [2] She left her job at the Royal Academy to set up a studio in Barnes, London, specialising in glass engraving. [2] [3] She worked with a diamond drill on vessels and larger architectural pieces, mostly to commission. [2] These included memorial doors at St Mary's Church, Barnes, screen panels commemorating the Punjab Frontier Force in St Luke's Church, Chelsea, and a bowl celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Garden Museum. [2] She was a founding member of the Guild of Glass Engravers in 1975, and became a "brother" of the Art Workers' Guild in 1981. [2] [3] She was also a member of the New English Art Club. [4] She was elected Master of the Art Workers' Guild for 1997. [3]
Harris never married nor had any children. [3] She had an accident at home in 1986, and spent a long period in a convalescent home in Hartley, Plymouth. [4] In 1996, she had a brain cyst removed. [3]
Harris died on 28 September 2020, aged 89, having become frail in later life. [3]
Josephine Harris | |
---|---|
![]() Harris in her studio in south-west London | |
Born | 16 February 1931 |
Died | 28 September 2020 | (aged 89)
Nationality | British |
Alma mater | Plymouth College of Art |
Occupation | Artist |
Josephine Margaret Harris [1] (16 February 1931 – 28 September 2020) was a British glass engraver and painter.
Harris was born on 16 February 1931. Her father (Major Percy Harris) was a British Army officer and the family moved frequently. She was educated mainly by governesses, but she also attended the York School of Art while they lived in the city. [2] After the end of the Second World War, the family settled in Saltash, Cornwall, and she attended Moorfield School for Girls, a private school in Plymouth, from 1946 to 1948. [3]
In 1948, she enrolled at the Plymouth College of Art, where she learnt a careful observation of detail and skilful drawing under William Mann. [2] [3] She then worked at the Plymouth City Art Gallery, where she was involved in educating children about its collections and loaning pictures to local schools. [2] In 1958, she moved to London where she unsuccessfully applied to the Royal College of Art. [3] Instead, she gained employment as secretary and personal assistant to the Keeper of the Schools at the Royal Academy of Arts; first Sir Henry Rushbury and then his successor Peter Greenham. [2] [3] She continued painting, becoming a member of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1967 and exhibiting her work with the Royal Academy. [2]
In 1969, Harris attended a glass decorating class by Peter Dreiser at Morley College. [2] She left her job at the Royal Academy to set up a studio in Barnes, London, specialising in glass engraving. [2] [3] She worked with a diamond drill on vessels and larger architectural pieces, mostly to commission. [2] These included memorial doors at St Mary's Church, Barnes, screen panels commemorating the Punjab Frontier Force in St Luke's Church, Chelsea, and a bowl celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Garden Museum. [2] She was a founding member of the Guild of Glass Engravers in 1975, and became a "brother" of the Art Workers' Guild in 1981. [2] [3] She was also a member of the New English Art Club. [4] She was elected Master of the Art Workers' Guild for 1997. [3]
Harris never married nor had any children. [3] She had an accident at home in 1986, and spent a long period in a convalescent home in Hartley, Plymouth. [4] In 1996, she had a brain cyst removed. [3]
Harris died on 28 September 2020, aged 89, having become frail in later life. [3]