Sunflower 1961
Ivy Fife (1905-1976)
Oil on canvas
Presented by the Nelson Suter Art Society in 1961

 Towards the end of last summer Dorothy Matthews broke her leg.  During her convalescence she was unable to get outside and enjoy her garden.  To cheer her up, Dorothy’s husband brought her ten sunflowers from Eyebright in Richmond.  The stalks and flower heads were so big that they had to buy a large vase just to display them in the home.

It did the trick though; the flowers had a therapeutic effect and made her feel better.    Dorothy wanted to share the joy of sunflowers with others and selected this work by Ivy Fife for display.  “They are just so bright and happy” she said.  ‘I suppose I should have chosen the van der Velden but it was such lovely day’.  Dorothy also left us with this saying which leaves no doubt about her positive spirits:

What did the sunflower say to you?

Let’s dance!