Ola Cohn
Encyclopedia
Ola Cohn, born Carola Cohn in Bendigo (25 April 1892 – 23 December 1964) was an Australian artist, author and philanphropist best known for her work in sculpture
in a modernist style and famous for her Fairies Tree in the Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
.
Ola was educated at Girton College, Bendigo, then studied drawing and sculpture at the Bendigo School of Mines. She continued her studies in Melbourne at Swinburne Technical College and then at the Royal College of Art in London. On her return to Melbourne in 1930 she established a studio at 9 Collins Street (subsequently occupied by Georges
and Mirka Mora
), and later moving to Gipps Street, East Melbourne.
Her works in bronze, stone and wood are held in many state and regional galleries. Important works include:
The Fairies Tree work also inspired the writing and publication of The Fairies' Tree (1932), More about the Fairies' Tree (1932) and Castles in the Air (1936). Her book Mostly Cats was published in 1964.
She was President of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors from 1948 to 1964, a founding member of the Australian Sculptors Society and an active member of the Victorian Artists' society, the Victorian Sculptors' Society and Melbourne Contemporary Artists.
Through her membership of artists' and sculptors' societies Ola Cohn gave lectures and demonstrations to make sculpture more accessible to the public. Private instruction in sculpture was given from her studio in East Melbourne which became an important centre for artists. During the Second World War she gave recreational sculpture lessons for soldiers.
Ola travelled through Europe and Iceland in 1949-51. In 1952 she won the Crouch Prize at Ballarat for her woodcarving, Abraham. This was the first time that this prize had been awarded to a sculpture.
On 1 January 1965, shortly after her death, Cohn was appointed a Member of the British Empire for her work in the service of art, especially sculpture. Her studio home in Gipps St, East Melbourne was bequeathed to the Council of Adult Education (since renamed the Centre for Adult Education), and is now known as the Ola Cohn Memorial Centre.
In 2002 the Centre for Adult Education
considered selling Ola's studio to raise money for new buildings. A public campaign at the time motivated the Victorian State Government to intercede and fund the restoration of the Ola Cohn Memorial Centre. Her studio at Gipps Street is still under the control of the CAE and is heritage listed.
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
in a modernist style and famous for her Fairies Tree in the Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
The Fitzroy Gardens are 26 hectares located on the southeastern edge of the Melbourne Central Business District in East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
.
Ola was educated at Girton College, Bendigo, then studied drawing and sculpture at the Bendigo School of Mines. She continued her studies in Melbourne at Swinburne Technical College and then at the Royal College of Art in London. On her return to Melbourne in 1930 she established a studio at 9 Collins Street (subsequently occupied by Georges
Georges Mora
Georges Mora was a German-born Australian entrepreneur, art dealer, patron, connoisseur and restaurateur.- Early life :Mora was born Gunter Morawski in 1913 in Leipzig, Germany of Jewish/Polish heritage. As a young medical student Mora became a member of a communist cell and fled Germany to Paris...
and Mirka Mora
Mirka Mora
Mirka Mora is a prominent French-born Australian Visual artist who has contributed significantly to the development of Contemporary Art in Australia. Her mediums include painting, sculpture and mosaics.- Early life :...
), and later moving to Gipps Street, East Melbourne.
- the famous Fairies' Tree in the Fitzroy Gardens, MelbourneFitzroy Gardens, MelbourneThe Fitzroy Gardens are 26 hectares located on the southeastern edge of the Melbourne Central Business District in East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
which she sculptored between 1931 and 1934 and donated to the children of Melbourne and - the statue for the Pioneer Women's Memorial GardenPioneer Women's Memorial GardenThe Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden is a tribute to the pioneer women of South Australia. The garden was designed by landscape designer Elsie Cornish and the statue created by Ola Cohn was unveiled by Lady Muriel Barclay-Harvey on 19 April 1941.The main entrance is located on King William Road...
in Adelaide, South Australia, carved in limestone in 1940-1941.
The Fairies Tree work also inspired the writing and publication of The Fairies' Tree (1932), More about the Fairies' Tree (1932) and Castles in the Air (1936). Her book Mostly Cats was published in 1964.
She was President of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors from 1948 to 1964, a founding member of the Australian Sculptors Society and an active member of the Victorian Artists' society, the Victorian Sculptors' Society and Melbourne Contemporary Artists.
Through her membership of artists' and sculptors' societies Ola Cohn gave lectures and demonstrations to make sculpture more accessible to the public. Private instruction in sculpture was given from her studio in East Melbourne which became an important centre for artists. During the Second World War she gave recreational sculpture lessons for soldiers.
Ola travelled through Europe and Iceland in 1949-51. In 1952 she won the Crouch Prize at Ballarat for her woodcarving, Abraham. This was the first time that this prize had been awarded to a sculpture.
On 1 January 1965, shortly after her death, Cohn was appointed a Member of the British Empire for her work in the service of art, especially sculpture. Her studio home in Gipps St, East Melbourne was bequeathed to the Council of Adult Education (since renamed the Centre for Adult Education), and is now known as the Ola Cohn Memorial Centre.
In 2002 the Centre for Adult Education
Centre for Adult Education
The Centre for Adult Education , originally founded in 1947 as the Council for Adult Education, is a Victorian-based adult education institution. It is funded by the Adult Community and Further Education Division ....
considered selling Ola's studio to raise money for new buildings. A public campaign at the time motivated the Victorian State Government to intercede and fund the restoration of the Ola Cohn Memorial Centre. Her studio at Gipps Street is still under the control of the CAE and is heritage listed.