Jean JOYES (1928 - ). Abandoned
Doll. Gouache and crayon on paper 790 x 650mm.Purchased in 1983.
This crayon and gouache work was inspired by the memory of a favourite doll that was forgotten and
left in the garden overnight.
Most of us have memories of
things in our lives discarded or forgotten when another, more interesting activity or situation
presented itself – and subsequently have felt the anguish associated with rediscovery, especially
if the object or relationship is damaged.
This painting is a firm
favourite of all members of this group and the signature image for the exhibition.
Margaret Jean MAJOR (nee JOYES) (1928 - )
Margaret Jean Joyes was born in
Wellington in 1928. In her final year at Hutt Valley High School, Margaret was a full-time art
student, sitting the Diploma of Fine Arts Preliminary Examination at the end of 1946. From 1947-48
Margaret studied at the Canterbury School of Fine Arts where she met Irvine Major. Margaret and
Irvine married in January 1949 and moved to Nelson where Irvine took up the position of Art Master
at Nelson College.
For the next several years Margaret happily immersed herself in homemaking and family life and it
was not until the youngest member of the family started school that she was able to pursue her
interest in painting once more. As always with a growing family, resources were stretched at times
and Margaret's early works were completed in crayon and/or whatever paint was
available.
Margaret became an active member of
the Nelson Suter Art Society and served on the committee for several years at the same time, taking
part in a number of group and solo exhibition in Nelson, Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington.
In 1982 she exhibited with Sally Burton at the Louise Beale Gallery in Wellington.
Some of Margaret's works were painted
to a theme whilst others were drawn from her own imagination. One series was inspired by images of
ordinance survey maps. An interest in geneology led to a series of works based on her pioneer
great-grandmother. Both the content and style of her painting has changed over time and at present
Margaret is preparing for an exhibition of abstract works to be displayed at the RED Art Gallery
from 5 August 2008 which, along with a tandem parachute jump, will be part of a celebration of her
80th birthday.
Margaret continues to work under the
artist name: Jean Joyes.
Exhibition text prepared by The Suterable Art Group of the Nelson branch of U3A.