Who is Mary Fowlds, the artist?

Born on the 24th of September 1938 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa, Mary Fowlds spent her formative years at the Diocesan for Girls in Grahamstown from 1947 to 1957. Even in her early years, she received prizes and distinctions in Art, setting the stage for her artistic journey.

Her formal art education took shape at the Port Elizabeth Art School, where she completed a comprehensive three-year Graphic Art Course. Notably, during her fourth year, under the tutelage of Joan Wright—daughter of the renowned South African artist Dorothy Kay—she specialised in Portraiture.

In 1958, she marked her presence in the Johannesburg art scene by exhibiting at the Peter Wenning Gallery on the "Artists of Fame and Promise" exhibition — a rare recognition for an Eastern Cape student. Her talent flourished within the Port Elizabeth Art Society, showcasing wit and skill in numerous successful exhibitions.

Relocating to Johannesburg in 1978, Mary embarked on a diverse career path, contributing her creativity to B.B.D.O Advertising's Creative Department for five years and later serving as an Art Director at Scharrer, Edwards, and Fraser for another five years. Her artistic prowess continued to shine through exhibitions at various venues, including the Crake Gallery, Chinta Park Courtyard, and several galleries across Johannesburg. Notably, her art also found its way to London's Art of Africa Gallery and auctions at Christie's.

Though previously based in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, Mary now resides in the Eastern Cape and remains devoted to her artistic endeavours. Despite the relocation, she persists in painting, teaching private lessons, and undertaking commissioned works, maintaining an unwavering commitment to her craft.

Mary Fowlds, a versatile artist skilled in multiple mediums, perceives art as a visual language, prioritizing the foundation of painting on the bedrock of drawing. Her artworks pulsate with a fervent portrayal of movement, carried out through a deft and fluid handling of paint.

Delving deeper into her subjects, Mary uncovers layers beyond the surface, a testament to her rapid execution style imbued with spontaneity and originality akin to sketches—a pivotal aspect defining the essence of her finished creations.

Mary draws inspiration from esteemed artists like Augustus John and the French Impressionists, channelling their influence into her artistry. Her studio, now situated in the Eastern Cape, continues to serve as a creative haven where she paints, exhibits, and shares her expertise through private lessons while also actively undertaking commissioned works.