Jocelyn Chewett
Birth nameJocelyn Margery Chewett
Birth date20 December 1906
Birth placeWeston, Ontario, Canada
Death dateJune 1979
Death placeLondon, UK
Other namesJocelyn Gilbert
EducationSlade School of Fine Art,
1927–1930 (didn't graduate)
MovementThe White Stag Group
SpouseStephen Gilbert (m. 1935)

Jocelyn Margery Chewett (married name Gilbert; 20 December 1906 – June 1979) was a Canadian sculptor active in Paris.[1][2] During the Second World War Chewett lived in Dublin and was a member of The White Stag Group.[1][3]

Early life and education

Chewett was born on 20 December 1906 at her family's farm in the then town of Weston, Ontario (present-day Toronto) to James Chewett (1868–1917), a mining engineer, and Alice Isabella Chewett (; 1877–1925).[1][4][5][6][7] Chewett's father was Canadian and her mother was English.[1][3] The second of three sisters, Chewett was the paternal niece of the artist Albert Ranney Chewett (1877–1965).[5][3]

In 1913, the Chewett family visited England however, the outbreak of First World War prevented the family from returning to Canada.[1][3] The family later relocated to Cold Ash, Berkshire where they joined the Order of Silence.[1][3] Following her mother's death in 1925[a], Chewett lived with her uncle in Bushey.[5][6]

Chewett first studied sociology and comparative religion before enrolling at Slade School of Fine Art in October 1927[b].[1][2][8][9] Initially studying painting under Henry Tonks, Chewett later studied sculpture under Alfred Horace Gerrard.[1][8] Whilst studying, Chewett met her future husband Stephen Gilbert, and lived for a time with Ithell Colquhoun.[1][3][10] In 1930[c], Chewett left the Slade without completing her degree.[1][9]

Career

Pre-war

In 1931, Chewett relocated to Paris where for two years she worked and studied at the atelier of Ossip Zadkine.[3][11] Under Zadkine, Chewett was introduced to Cubist principles and learnt direct carving into wood and stone.[8][11] Also influenced by the work of Constantin Brâncuși, Chewett developed a neo-Cubist style.[2][11] In 1932, Chewett exhibited at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts and at the Salon des Tuileries between 1932 and 1934.[1][2]

In 1935, Chewett returned to London where she married the painter and sculptor Stephen Gilbert.[3] In 1938[d], Chewett and Gilbert settled in Paris.[3]

Ireland

Following the outbreak of Second World War, Chewett and Gilbert settled in Dublin.[1][3][12] The couple joined the The White Stag Group in 1940, with Chewett being the group's only sculptor.[1][10][13]

Post-war

In 1946, Chewett and Gilbert returned to Paris and settled in the Rue Saint-Jacques.[3][2] From 1948 to 1951, Chewett exhibited at the Salon des surindépendants and at the Salon de la jeune sculpture in 1952 and 1953.[3][8] In 1950, Chewett's work moved towards abstraction under the influence of Kazimir Malevich and Georges Vantongerloo .[2][8]

In 1966, Chewett founded her own atelier on the Impasse du Rouet.[3]

Personal life

Chewett and Gilbert had two children.[3][10] In June 1979 Chewett died in London, aged 72.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ Also cited as 1924.[5]
  2. ^ Also cited as 1929.[3]
  3. ^ Also cited as 1931.[1][2]
  4. ^ Also cited as 1939.[10]

References

  1. ^ Kennedy, S.B. (2005). "Biographical Notes of Principal White Stag Artists and Those Associated With Them". The White Stag Group. Dublin: Irish Museum of Modern Art. pp. 149–154. ISBN 1903811503. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  2. ^ Busse, Jacques (1999). Bénézit: Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs. Tome 3 (in French). Paris, France: Éditions Gründ. p. 580. ISBN 2700030435. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  3. ^ Gilbert, Stephen (January 1983). "Jocelyn Chewett, Canadian Sculptor (1906–1979)". Leonardo. 16 (1): 56–59. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  4. ^ "Jocelyn Margery Gilbert [Death Index]". England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916–2007. 15 (Q2): 1938. London: General Register Office. 1979.
  5. ^ "Albert Ranney Chewett, 1877–1965". Bushey Museum & Art Gallery. December 2019.
  6. ^ "Chewett Alice Isabella". Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. London, UK: Principal Probate Registry. 1926.
  7. ^ "Family No: 82 [James H Chewtt & Alice I Chewtt]". Census of Canada, 1901; Ontario; Toronto (West/Ouest) (City/Cité); Toronto (West/Ouest) (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 4. Ottawa, Ontario: Library and Archives Canada. 1901.
  8. ^ Chevalier, Denys (1960). Dictionary of Modern Sculpture. Translated by Wadia, Bettina. Maillard, Robert (ed.). New York: Tudor. p. 58. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  9. ^ "Jocelyn Marjorie Chewett". Student Records; 1930–1931; C. London: University College London. 25 June 1930.
  10. ^ Grieve, Alastair (14 February 2007). "Obituary: Stephen Gilbert". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  11. ^ Épivent, Jean-Luc (1983). "Jocelyn Chewett: un rêve de pureté" (in French). Vie des Arts. 27 (110): 27–29. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  12. ^ Kennedy, S.B. (2005). "The White Stag Group". The White Stag Group. Dublin: Irish Museum of Modern Art. pp. 12–49. ISBN 1903811503. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  13. ^ Leach, Cristín (31 July 2005). "Art: Whiter shade of pale". The Times. Retrieved 30 April 2026.