May Power (11 September 1903 – 1993) was an Irish

sculptor Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...

Early life and family

May Power was born in Dublin on 11 September 1903. Her parents were the sculptor Albert Power, and Agnes (née Kelly). She had 6 brothers and 3 sisters. Her younger brother,

James James is a common English language surname and given name: *James (name), the typically masculine first name James * James (surname), various people with the last name James James or James City may also refer to: People * King James (disambiguat ...

, also went on to become a renowned sculptor. The family moved to 18 Geraldine Street,

Phibsborough Phibsborough (; ), also spelled Phibsboro, is a mixed commercial and residential neighbourhood on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. The Bradogue River crosses the area in a culvert, and the Royal Canal passes through its northern reaches, nota ...

in early 1912, where Power's father established his stone carving business. Along with James, Power was taught the basics of modelling and carving by their father, and later both attended the

Dublin Metropolitan School of Art The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) is Ireland's oldest art institution, offering the largest range of art and design degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate level in the country. Originating as a drawing school in 1746, many of th ...

(DMSA). While attending the DMSA, Power modelled for fellow artist

Patrick Tuohy Patrick Tuohy (27 February 1894 – August 1930) was an Irish portrait, narrative, and genre painter. Early life Patrick Joseph Tuohy was born in Dublin on 27 February 1894, at 77 Lower Dorset Street. His parents were the surgeon, John Jose ...

, sitting for him more than any other model. Power modelled for her father for his bronze statuette of Queen Tailte.

Career

Power exhibited regularly with the

Royal Hibernian Academy The Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) is an artist-based and artist-oriented institution in Ireland, founded in Dublin in 1823. Like many other Irish institutions, such as the RIA, the academy retained the word "Royal" after most of Ireland became in ...

between 1933 and 1951. Her work was featured as part of the sculpture event in the art competition at the

1948 Summer Olympics The 1948 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XIV Olympiad and also known as London 1948) were an international multi-sport event held from 29 July to 14 August 1948 in London, England, United Kingdom. Following a twelve-year hiatus ca ...

. Power exhibited alongside Leo, Desmond and Irene Broe at the 1955 Institute of the Sculptors of Ireland exhibition in the

Hugh Lane Gallery The Hugh Lane Gallery, officially Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane and originally the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, is an art museum operated by Dublin City Council and its subsidiary, the Hugh Lane Gallery Trust. It is in Charlemont House ( ...

. With her father, Power was a member of the Academy of Christian Art from its foundation in 1934. Through the Academy she both taught art and curated the large collection of religious images the group amassed, as well as serving as the honorary secretary. When her father died in 1945 before finishing a bust of Thomas Davis, Power painted the plaster model in bronze in time for the centenary celebration of Davis' birth. The Hugh Lane Gallery holds a bronze bust by Power of Joseph Holloway.

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* {{DEFAULTSORT:Power, May 1903 births 1993 deaths 20th-century Irish sculptors 20th-century Irish women artists Irish women sculptors Olympic competitors in art competitions Artists from Dublin (city)