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 may refer to: People * James (given name) * James (surname) * James (musician), aka Faruq Mahfuz Anam James, (born 1964), Bollywood musician * James, brother of Jesus * King James (disambiguation), various kings named James * Prince Ja ...

, 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, no ...

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 (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 Jos ...

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

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 officially branded as London 1948, were an international multi-sport event held from 29 July to 14 August 1948 in London, United Kingdom. Following a twelve-year hiatus cau ...

. Power exhibited alongside

Leo Leo is the Latin word for lion. It most often refers to: * Leo (constellation), a constellation of stars in the night sky * Leo (astrology), an astrological sign of the zodiac * Leo (given name), a given name in several languages, usually mas ...

, Desmond and Irene Broe at the 1955 Institute of the Sculptors of Ireland exhibition in the

Hugh Lane Gallery The Hugh Lane Gallery, and originally the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art, is an art museum operated by Dublin City Council and its wholly-owned company, the Hugh Lane Gallery Trust. It is in Charlemont House (built 1763) on Parnell Square, Dub ...

. 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 Art competitors at the 1948 Summer Olympics Artists from Dublin (city) 20th-century Irish women sculptors