Alice Berger Hammerschlag
Alice Berger Hammerschlag née Berger (1917–1969) was an Austrian artist. She settled in Belfast and while creating abstract paintings also had a number of creative and administrative roles in Northern Ireland.
Alice Berger Hammerschlag | |
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Born | Alice Berger 1917 Vienna, Austria |
Died | 1969 (aged 51–52) Belfast, Northern Ireland |
Nationality | Austrian |
Alma mater | |
Known for | Abstract painting, design |
Biography
Hammerschlag was born in Vienna and studied art between 1929 and 1938 under Franz Cižek at the Kunstgewerbeschule and at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.[1] In 1938 she moved to Belfast, as a refugee on a British government permit for graphic designers, to avoid persercution under the Nazi regime.[2]
In Northern Ireland Hammerschlag did design work for publishers and designed theatre sets for companies in Belfast, including the Lyric.[1][2] Hammerschlag was active in the running of the New Gallery in Belfast and in 1959 had her first solo exhibition at the New Vision Centre Gallery in London.[3] Further exhibitions of her work followed at Queen's University in Belfast, at the Avgarde Gallery in Manchester and, in 1965 and 1968, at the Dawson Gallery in Dublin.[1][3] She also had exhibitions in Europe and the United States.[4] Hammerschlag was a member of the Women's International Art Club and the Free Painters and Sculptors.[3] Her early paintings were abstract works and she remained an abstract artist throughout her career but increasingly included more overtly rhythmic patterns in her work.[3] The Ulster Museum, the Royal Society of Arts and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland hold examples of her work.[1] A memorial exhibition of her work was held by the Arts Council Gallery in Belfast in 1970 and an award for artists was set up in her name by her husband, the musician Heinz Hammerschlag.[3][5]
References
- David Buckman (2006). Artists in Britain Since 1945 Vol 1, A to L. Art Dictionaries Ltd. ISBN 0-953260-95-X.
- "Alice Berger Hammerschlag in Belfast: Re-Drawing Boundaries". National Museums NI. 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- Frances Spalding (1990). 20th Century Painters and Sculptors. Antique Collectors' Club. ISBN 1-85149-106-6.
- "Alice Berger Hammerschlag (1917–1969): Artist". Dictionary of Ulster Biography. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- "Heinz Hammerschlag: Musician (1905–1998); textile manufacturer". Dictionary of Ulster Biography. Retrieved 29 September 2020.