Sculptor Behind The Mask: Mitzi Cunliffe's Work Of The 1950s

An exhibition highlighting the career of American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe in the 1950s, a period which included the design of the famous BAFTA trophy, participation in the Festival of Britain and the commissioning of Man-Made Fibres for the University of Leeds Campus.

This year the University of Leeds is celebrating the 60th anniversary of Man-Made Fibres, one of Cunliffe’s most important sculptures of the period. The iconic piece of public art, sculpted from Portland stone, was created especially for the opening of a new building, also called Man-Made Fibres, now the Clothworkers’ South building. The sculpture features two monumental hands with a striking weave motif cradled between them, reflecting the exciting developments in synthetic fibres that the new building represented. Cunliffe's contribution to public art in the 1950s has been somewhat overlooked, this exhibition re-assesses her work during this period and coincides with her inclusion in the Heritage England 'Out There’ exhibition at Somerset House.

The 1950s also saw another milestone in Cunliffe’s career- her contribution to the Festival of Britain. She was one of six women sculptors participating in the Festival of Britain in 1951, and items from this will be on display including the original maquette (preliminary model) for Root Bodied Forth, on loan from Leeds Museums & Galleries and the original Push and Pull handles from a private collection.

The exhibition, at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, will display items including Cunliffe’s original maquettes for Man-Made Fibres, the first ever BAFTA trophy mask, examples of her ceramics and her textile design for the coronation of Elizabeth II. Many of the objects will be on display for the first time, on loan from private collections and other institutions.

The exhibition forms part of the University of Leeds Public Art Project and will be accompanied by a series of events and talks. This year the Public Art Project, inspired by Cunliffe’s sculpture, will be celebrating the rich textile heritage of the University.