Barbara Tribe
Barbara Tribe (1913–2000) was an Australian-born artist who spent most of her career in Cornwall. She is regarded as a significant twentieth-century portrait artist, working both in painting and sculpture. Personal life. Tribe was born in the suburb of Edgecliff, Sydney to English parents. In 1935 Tribe was awarded a travelling scholarship which allowed her to travel to England, where she lived and worked for the rest of her life. Tribe married John Singleman, an architect and potter, in 1947. They bought the former Baptist Sunday School building (later known as 'The Studio') in Sheffield, Cornwall  in 1947 and moved there shortly afterwards. Education. Tribe first studied at the Sydney Technical College from 1928 to 1933, joining when she was 15 years old. After travelling to England, Tribe first attended the Kennington City & Guilds School of Art in 1936–1937 before being accepted into the Regent Street Polytechnic School of Art. Artwork and career. Tribe's work was heavily influenced by her travel experiences. During her time at the Sydney Technical College, she studied under English born sculptor, Raynor Hoff, and her figure work at this time was heavily influenced by him. After she received her diploma , she worked as Hoff's assistant and worked on the Hyde Park war memorial in Sydney with him. Between 1931 and 1934 Tribe often exhibited with the Society of Artists before holding her first solo show in 1934. In the mid to late 1930s, Tribe and fellow Australian artist and actor Jean Elwing convinced Selfridges to provide studio space, and the young artist was also given parties by the store. In 1943, Tribe was commissioned by Australia House, London to produce busts of seven distinguished airmen from Australia. Also in the 1940s, she began exhibiting at the Royal Academy of  Arts and the Royal Society of British Sculptors. Tribe entered a piece titled "Embryo" into the renowned "The Unknown Political Prisoner" exhibition (14 March–30 April 1953). During the Second World War, Tribe worked for the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, recording vulnerable historic buildings. Tribe took up a part time teaching post at the Penzance School of Art after the war, and continued to teach there for over 40 years, retiring in 1988. Tribe was a member of Newlyn Society of Artists and St Ives Society of Artists. Selected awards and commissions. Tribe received much recognition within her lifetime, including the  following, Selected exhibitions. Tribe exhibited widely throughout her career including the following, Works held in public collections. Artwork by Barbara Tribe are held in several public collections, including the following works, Legacy. Tribe specified in her will that some of her works were to be sold in aid of setting up the Barbara Tribe Foundation. Administered by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the aim of the foundation is to promote sculpture in Australia. An archive relating to Barbara Tribe is held by the National Art Archive at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.