Jocelyn Chewett
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20 December 1906
1927–1930 (didn't graduate)
Jocelyn Chewett | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jocelyn Margery Chewett 20 December 1906 Weston, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | June 1979 (aged 72) London, UK |
| Other names | Jocelyn Gilbert |
| Education | Slade School of Fine Art, 1927–1930 (didn't graduate) |
| Movement | The White Stag Group |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Jocelyn Margery Chewett (married name Gilbert; 20 December 1906 – June 1979) was a Canadian sculptor active in Paris.[1][2] During Second World War Chewett lived in Dublin and was a member of The White Stag Group.[1][3]
Chewett was born on 20 December 1906 at her family's farm in the then town of Weston, Ontario (present-day Toronto) to James Chewett (1868–1917), a mining engineer, and Alice Isabella Chewett (née Ward; 1877–1925).[1][4][5][6][7] Chewett's father was Canadian and her mother was English.[1][3] The second of three sisters, Chewett was the paternal niece of the artist Albert Ranney Chewett (1877–1965).[5][3]
In 1913, the Chewett family visited England however, the outbreak of First World War prevented the family from returning to Canada.[1][3] The family later relocated to Cold Ash, Berkshire where they joined the Order of Silence.[1][3] Following her mother's death in 1925[a], Chewett lived with her uncle in Bushey.[5][6]
Chewett first studied sociology and comparative religion before enrolling at Slade School of Fine Art in October 1927[b].[1][2][8][9] Initially studying painting under Henry Tonks, Chewett later studied sculpture under Alfred Horace Gerrard.[1][8] Whilst studying Chewett met her future husband Stephen Gilbert, and lived for a time with Ithell Colquhoun.[1][3][10] In 1930[c], Chewett left the Slade without completing her degree.[1][9]
Career
Pre-war
In 1931, Chewett relocated to Paris where for two years she worked and studied at the atelier of Ossip Zadkine.[3][11] Under Zadkine, Chewett was introduced to Cubist principles and learnt direct carving into wood and stone.[8][11] Also influenced by the work of Constantin Brâncuși, Chewett developed a neo-Cubist style.[2][11] In 1932, Chewett exhibited at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts and at the Salon des Tuileries between 1932 and 1934.[1][2]
In 1935, Chewett returned to London where she married the painter and sculptor Stephen Gilbert.[3] In 1938[d], Chewett and Gilbert settled in Paris.[3]
Ireland
Following the outbreak of Second World War, Chewett and Gilbert settled in Dublin.[1][3][12] The couple joined the The White Stag Group in 1940, with Chewett being the group's only sculptor.[1][10][13]
Post-war
In 1946, Chewett and Gilbert returned to Paris and settled in the Rue Saint-Jacques.[3][2] From 1948 to 1951, Chewett exhibited at the Salon des surindépendants and at the Salon de la jeune sculpture in 1952 and 1953.[3][8] In 1950, Chewett's work moved towards abstraction under the influence of Kazimir Malevich and Georges Vantongerloo .[2][8]
In 1966, Chewett founded her own atelier on the Impasse du Rouet.[3]