Before starting work on this project I had heard about
Hannah Frank, but my knowledge of her work was very limited. I knew that she
was a Glasgow-born Jewish artist and that the Women’s Library in Glasgow had a
collection of her prints, but sadly that was the extent of my understanding. Looking
back now, it is strange to imagine my life without knowing about Hannah as since
March 2014 she has been a huge part of my life.
 |
| Hannah Frank in 1984 with ‘Bird Woman’ (1969). Photograph courtesy of Fiona Frank. |
When I saw the post of Hannah Frank Curatorial Intern I knew instantly that I wanted the job. I love Hannah’s work. She is often compared to Aubrey Beardsley and Jessie M. King but there is a darkness and edge to her work. She was greatly influence by literature and poetry but did not shy away from addressing difficult issues such as death, grief and the plight of refugees from Nazi Europe in WWII (Flight, 1939). Her sculpture celebrates femininity but also displays maturity and serenity (Standing Figure 1, 1959).
Images courtesy of Fiona Frank.
Over the past 4 months I have obtained an abundance of
knowledge about the Jewish faith and culture, Hannah’s work and that of her
contemporaries. I have gained invaluable practical experience such as
researching and tracing artworks, negotiating and liaising with owners,
arranging collections, looking at geographical limitations and adhering to a
budget whilst not compromising quality or aesthetics. These are skills that I
will take into my future career. Inevitably not everything goes smoothly but I
can honestly say that I have enjoyed every moment of the project.
As well as the research and curatorial duties, I have been
fortunate to work at the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre cataloguing many of
Hannah and Lionel’s, letters, diaries, and photographic albums. Fortunately for
us, Hannah retained many of her belongings and correspondence spanning her 100
years. This vast collection allows us to follow her life and career as they
developed. To have such an insight into someone’s life through their personal
belongings really is a privilege.
There have been so many highlights…going to the care home
where Hannah and her husband Lionel spent their later years. Hannah’s work still
adorns the stairwell and alcoves. The most poignant moment of the day was
visiting the small garden that Hannah cultivated, a small sculpture stood with
a sign that simply said ‘For Lionel.’ A trip to the Ben Uri Gallery in London
with my fellow interns to meet curator Sarah MacDougall was extremely
beneficial. Sarah graciously took time to talk to us about the Ben Uri’s
collections, exhibitions and the Cultural Connections collaboration. Meeting
the amazing Ida Schuster-Berkeley, a 93 year old actress who knew Hannah (as
well as Benno Schotz, Jankel Adler and Josef Herman) was an unforgettable experience.
She shared her memories of Hannah
including sitting on the stairs at parties discussing films and bumping into
Hannah and Lionel in the street; Lionel carrying one of Hannah’s sculptures
wrapped in a blanket on its way to be cast. It all helped to create a picture
of Hannah as a person and as an artist.
 |
|
L-R: Maria Simou, Ida Schuster-Berkeley and me
(Photography by Claire Maxwell)
|
The Cultural
Connections exhibition has been entwined with an array of coincidences and
connections. One of the most rewarding moments was meeting Mr. John Buck and
his family. His wife, Susanne Schaefer, came to Scotland on a Kindertransport
and was adopted by the Hamilton family who once owned and lived at Rozelle
House where the exhibition is being held. Susanne was one of 10,000 children
who were evacuated from Nazi Europe to the UK from 1939-1940. Mrs Susanne
Schaefer-Buck sadly passed away in 2002 but her husband compiled and published
a book detailing Susanne and her family’s story as well as letters from her
father who was trapped in East Germany after 1945. I was honoured to write an
information panel detailing Susanne’s story and eventually met Mr. Buck, his
son and daughter-in-law at the exhibition opening. He is wonderful, kind man
who has two sons, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren who would not
be here today if it were not for the determination and dedication of the people
who organised the Kindertransports. I was privileged to tell Susanne’s story
and was extremely grateful to Mr Buck for allowing me to do so.
I have met and worked with so many people who have shared
their skills, knowledge and memories with me. I especially have to thank Dianne
Gardner for all her help, advice and support, Fiona Frank for her knowledge and
enthusiasm, Fiona Brodie and Deborah Haase at the SJAC for sharing their
expertise, Marzanna Antoniak for organising and planning an amazing programme
of events and my fellow intern and friend Maria Simou with whom I shared this
whole experience. Quite simply I have
loved this job and I am delighted that I was given this opportunity. I will
never forget Hannah Frank.
 |
|
L-R: Fiona Frank, Marzanna Antoniak, Dianne Gardner,
Maria Simou and me
(Photography by Claire Maxwell)
|
No comments:
Post a Comment