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Nurse Turned Artist's Domestic Installations Wow Audiences
19 Nov
Summary
- Alfreda McHale transitioned to art after nursing and midwifery.
- Her installations featured domestic items like buttons and cutlery.
- She pursued fine art degrees in her later career.
Alfreda McHale, who passed away at 76, forged a remarkable path as a professional artist following a fulfilling career as an NHS nurse and midwife. Her innovative art primarily consisted of installations that thoughtfully explored and commented on the role of the domestic sphere within artistic expression. These pieces graced a variety of exhibition spaces, both indoors and out, showcasing her unique vision.
McHale's installations varied significantly in scale. One notable work, 'Seeking Pearls,' featured glass jars filled with shiny buttons, displayed on kitchen shelves. Other exhibitions celebrated her mother's knitting, with titles like 'Knitting Matters.' Outdoors, 'Trolley' showcased a collection of tea trolleys as sculptures, and 'Runcible' presented blooming metal cutlery in garden flowerbeds at Charlecote Park.
Her artistic philosophy consistently refused to separate the domestic from the artistic or the literal from the imaginary. This ethos was evident not only in her work but also in her home life. After a career shift, she earned a first-class honours BA and an MA in fine art, leading to an impressive exhibition career. Alfreda McHale's unique artistic voice and legacy will be remembered.
