sculptor and commercial artist, was born in Mosman, Sydney, on 5 July 1912. Educated at the Presbyterian Ladies College, Pymble, she studied art under Miss Helen Crabbe. She entered art classes at East Sydney Technical College in February 1929 and is reputed to have completed both the introductory and intermediate courses in 12 months. Fletcher subsequently specialised in sculpture for four years under Rayner Hoff , graduating with her Diploma in Art (Sculpture) in 1935. She was one of a group of (predominantly female) sculpture students at East Sydney whom Hoff developed into the coherent 'school’ of sculptors which dominated Sydney sculptural production in the inter-war decades. Her work was exhibited in the 1930s with the Society of Artists and the Society of Women Painters.

After graduating Fletcher set up a studio in Elizabeth Street, Sydney, seeking commissions as a 'fine art sculptor’ but had to abandon this for employment in commercial art in 1937. She then worked for five years with Wilkins & Jones Pty Ltd at Fineline Studios, Rushcutters Bay. Fletcher married in 1941 and largely ceased sculpting. She died in 1988 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Despite being an active and proficient sculptor under Hoff, Marjorie Fletcher had virtually 'disappeared’ as a professional artist by 1940 and until quite recently her work was little known. Now, due largely to the efforts of her son, most of her important sculptures are held in Australian public galleries, including the hieratic Mourning Arab (1935, NGA), the Norman Lindsay style nude Fear (1936, plaster NGV, bronze AGNSW) and Self Torso (1934, plaster AGSA, bronze held p.c). Unlocated reliefs recorded in photographs include Botany Bay (1936), Knowledge (a nude woman), and the huge relief The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon (1933).

Writers:

Edwards, Deborah

Date written:

1995

Last updated:

2011