| Mary Kent Harrison - RBA NEAC |
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In recognition of the forthcoming 75th anniversary on 8th May 2020 of Victory In Europe Day here is Mary Kent Harrison's painting dated 1945 and titled 'V.E.Day'. The view is of the River Thames from Richmond Hill and vividly depicts folk out in celebration of that important day. She painted two versions of this scene.  Mary Kent Harrison 'V.E Day' 1945. Oil paint on canvas. 50x71cm
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Richmond At War, by Simon Fowler. Published by The Richmond Local History Society in 2015. 'Victory Day, Richmond, 1945' by Mary Kent Harrison is on the back cover. This is a wonderful book giving a vivid insight into life for the residents of Richmond during the war.   Mary Kent Harrison's son, author of this site is also a painter, and is having an exhibition of recent paintings at the Dundas Street Gallery, 6A Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6HZ - 20th to 24th February, 2015. Open every day including Sunday. Click here to visit his painting site. 
The Richmond Local Historical Society (click here to visit their webpage) have published on their webpage Mary Kent Harrison's painting Victory Day, Richmond. It is hoped that the painting may be included in a book to be published called 'Richmond At War'. The painting conveys the joyous mood on Victory In Europe day, celebrated by residents of Richmond, London as they walked along The Terrace, with the view of The Thames in the background.  Mary Kent Harrison. RBA, NEAC, 'Victory Day. Richmond' 1945 Mary Kent Harrison painted many pictures of Richmond where she grew up and lived up until the mid 1940's.
 It has been sixteen months since I created this website about my mother, the artist Mary Kent Harrison. I wish to take this opportunity say how very grateful I am for all the feedback and contributions I have received. A number of people have been in touch and provided me with images of the paintings by my mother that they own and enjoy, and have allowed me to share them by including them on the site. It is always a very great thrill and an emotionally moving experience to see these paintings. Here is the latest image that I have gratefully received. An extraordinary, exquisite still life from the 1950's and called ' Still Life with Faience Teapot. Lilies and Book". Click on the image to see a larger version. It looks like the painting has been professionally cleaned and it shows how wonderful it would be to see even more colour versions of many of her paintings.
It is now possible to see the reproductions on this site at a greater size. Click on the actual images and a larger image will be viewable. Hopefully, this will enhance the viewing experience as more detail will be revealed.
A start has at last been made on the site to illuminate the record of Mary Kent Harrisons' history of exhibitions. To date, the 1940's have been covered, although various cross-references and checks have yet to be made.
The source of the material is the exhibition brochures and catalogues that MKH kept during her lifetime. Many of these have not seen the light of day for decades. It has been fascinating to make a start on this. I have no doubt that it will help to gain an overview of her creative life, and the world in which she existed.. There are many letters and press cuttings enclosed in the pages of the catalogues that relate in detail to her life and which give an insight to her times, a world of civility long since gone and are, quite simply amazing to discover. Also, it is very interesting to find out who else she was exhibiting with. This will help to understand the artistic environment in which she existed, and to contemplate what effect the output of her contemporaries had on her. |
AuthorStephen Harrison Archives
April 2020
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