Mackay, Lucinda Louise, Lady, daughter of the 3rd Earl of Inchcape (artist) (b 1941)
Dates
- Existence: b 1941
Biography
Lucinda Louise Mackay was born in Berkshire, England on 13 December 1941 and brought up in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Her father Kenneth Mackay (1917-1994) was the Third Earl of Inchcape, and chairman of the P&O shipping line, while her mother, Aline Thorn Pease ‘Pixie’ (1919-2010), was the daughter of Sir Richard Arthur Pease, 2nd Baronet Pease of Hummersknott. Her parents divorced in 1954, both later re-marrying.
Privately educated until 1951, Mackay later attended Hurst Lodge in Berkshire (1951-1953), the Châtelard School in Les Avants, Switzerland (1954-1958) and Kirby Lodge School, Cambridge (1959-1960), before embarking on her university studies in Fine Art at Edinburgh College of Art at the University of Edinburgh (1960-1965). During her time at university, she was an active member of the University of Edinburgh Dramatic Society, acting and also specialising in set design.
In 1964, towards the end of her studies, she travelled to Cappadocia in Turkey to undertake research for her degree thesis, writing on "The Annunciation Scene in Cappadocian Painting." She graduated with Honours in Fine Art the following year in 1965, having studied under Professor David Talbot Rice. Other notable teachers included Sir Robin Philipson, later to be President of the Royal Scottish Academy; Professor David Michie, son of artist Anne Redpath; Jimmy Cumming; John Busby; Denis Peploe; Dame Elizabeth Blackadder and Sir William Gillies.
Mackay later pursued postgraduate studies at the Central School of Art and Design in London, specialising in illustration (1973-1974). Her studies continued in later years, undertaking a Scotvec National Certificate in Information Technology at Telford College of Further Education, Edinburgh (1989-90) and a course in advanced botanic illustration at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh (2001).
Alongside her painting career, Mackay has also taught art, pottery, design, and ceramics in schools in Edinburgh, the East Ham and Bethnal Green areas of London, and Essex (1966-1982).
Mackay’s artistic work encompasses portraits, still life, landscapes, imaginative composition, cartoons, botanical illustration, ink and pencil sketches, line drawings, and ceramics. Much of her work is characterised by bold brushwork and vibrant colours. She has also written books of poetry, journal articles, and has illustrated third party publications.
Published and self-published books of her own writing include: 'Poems' by Lucinda Mackay, published by Tuba Press, London, 1980; 'Lucidities' by Lucinda Mackay, published by Tuba Press, London, 1989; 'New twelve days of Christmas by Lucinda Mackay', self-published by Lucinda Mackay, 1999; 'Fun de siecle: a collection of nonsense for the turn of the century' by Naomi de Plume (pen name), self-published by Lucinda Mackay, 1999; and 'The Zoology Anthology: a jesty bestiary' by Naomi de Plume (pen name), self-published by Lucinda Mackay, 2015.
Prominent painting subjects include Nobel laureates Professor Peter Higgs (Physics Prize, 2013) and Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart (Chemistry Prize, 2016); Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, Principal of the University of Edinburgh; Professor John Erickson, a leading expert on soviet military history; opera singer Ian Caddy; Professor David Daiches CBE and his brother Lionel Daiches QC; Professor Donald Leach, Principal of Queen Margaret University; Professor Sir Robert Grieve, town planner; Sheriff Isobel Anne Poole; Professor Alexander McCall Smith; Professor Duncan Macmillan; singer Lorraine Veitch Rutherford; The Reverend John Whitley, hospital chaplain; Ivor Guild, solicitor; John Grant Wood, headmaster of Firhill Comprehensive School, Edinburgh; Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, geneticist; Professor David Munro, former director of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society; Rosalind Newton, former director of the High Blood Pressure Foundation; Mollie Marcellino, first female president of the Scottish Arts Club; David Cavaye, banker; Christe Shade Aderemi, wife of Justice Pius Olayiwola Aderemi; Rabindra Pratap Shah, Inspector General of Nepal Police; Alice Robertson, daughter-in-law of the late Professor Giles Robertson; Graham Dunstan Martin, French lecturer, University of Edinburgh; The Reverend Martin Hollingworth; Edward Harper, composer and lecturer, University of Edinburgh, Dr Emre Araci, composer, conductor, and freelance lecturer; Rosanne Peploe, former wife of Guy Peploe; Roddy Martine, journalist and former editor of Scottish Field; James Bailey, artist and set designer; Winifred Rushforth, psychoanalyst; Maximillian Wykes Joyce, art critic; Professor Neil Tennent, philosopher and logician; Suzanne Dover, psychotherapist; Broderick Haldane, society photographer; and Justice Isabel Köhne, née Moeder, of Germany.
Mackay has exhibited across the United Kingdom, in both mixed exhibitions and one-person shows. These include:
One-person shows: Edinburgh College of Art (1965); Paperback Bookshop Gallery, Edinburgh (1965); Ian Clarkson Gallery, Edinburgh (1967); Upper Grosvenor Gallery, London (1971 & 1972); Geffrye Museum, London (1974) [now The Museum of the Home]; Queens Elm Pub Gallery, Fulham Road (1976/1977); Dundee Repertory Theatre (circa 1979/1980); The Scottish Gallery, George Street, Edinburgh (1985); Addison Ross Gallery, Belgravia, London (1989); Queen's Hall Concert Theatre, Edinburgh (1999); The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London (2001); Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh (2002 & 2022); The Torrance Gallery, Edinburgh (1990, 1995, 1998, 2005, 2015 & 2018); The New Club, Edinburgh (2004); The Randolph Gallery, Edinburgh (2007); The Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh (1991 & 2008); The Dundas Street Gallery, Edinburgh (2011); and the 'Police Box', Drummond Place, Edinburgh (2019).
Mixed shows: Paperback Bookshop Gallery, Edinburgh (1966); Royal Scottish Academy (circa 1981; 1986 for 'The Morrison Portrait Award Exhibition'; & 1987 for the 'Academy Summer Exhibition'); the City Art Centre, Edinburgh (1986); the Mall Galleries, London (circa 1987); The Italian Cultural Institute, Edinburgh (1991); The Scottish Gallery, Dundas Street, Edinburgh (1993); and The Forum, Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh, in aid of the Bethany Trust (2004).
Mackay’s paintings reside in both private and public collections including the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh; Abbotsford, Melrose; Geffrye Museum, London; Scottish Arts Council (now Creative Scotland), Edinburgh; Royal Overseas League, London; London College of Music; Royal Edinburgh Hospital; and Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow.
An active advocate for the arts, Mackay has served on the Committee of The Scottish Society; the Council of the Scottish Arts Club; the Associate Members’ Liaison Committee of Edinburgh’s New Club; the Executive and Editorial Committees of Edinburgh University Graduates’ Association; and as Patron of the Edinburgh University String Orchestra. She has also held artist residencies at Birkhill School in Dundee (1999) and at Newtyle and Auchterhouse Schools in Angus (2001).
Mackay settled permanently in Edinburgh in 1977, where she married Sheriff David Bogie in 1983; the couple divorced in 1987. She has travelled widely in Europe, alongside visits to the United States, Russia, Turkey, and the Far East.
Biographical information has been taken from Lady Lucinda Mackay’s donated curriculum vitaes, in addition to her published memoir, ‘My Life as an Artist’ (2023) and conversations with the artist herself.
Found in 101 Collections and/or Records:
Album: Flower paintings, Circa 1987-circa 2007
Album contains 43 colour photographs of botanical paintings completed by Lucinda Mackay between circa 1987-circa 2007.
Album: Fringe Benefits Exhibition, Torrance Gallery, 29 August-12 September 2015 (Nos. 1-40), 2015
Album: Landscapes and cityscapes, Circa 1981-2000
Album contains 37 colour photographs of paintings completed by Lucinda Mackay between circa 1981-2000. Notable painting subjects include visits to Lake Como and Venice, Italy; Scottish landscapes and cityscapes; and the interior of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Album: Mini paintings, exhibited at Ian Clarkson Gallery, Edinburgh, 1967; and two East London Studies, 1974, [?1967-2003]
Album contains 35 colour photographs of paintings completed by Lucinda Mackay between 1967 and 1974. The majority of the 'mini paintings' have been photographed by Michael Barry. The identity of the photographer of the two concluding London studies is unknown. Album also contains an exhibition guide for the 'Mini Paintings' exhibition held at the Ian Clarkson Gallery in Edinburgh between 25 November-8 December 1967; and a copy of the artist's curriculum vitae, dated December 2003.
Album: Nudes, Travel, Still Lives, Fringe Benefits Exhibition, Torrance Gallery, 29 August-12 September 2015 (Nos. 66B-72B), [1983-2015]
Album: Plants Portraits, 2001
Display folder contains 12 photographs and prints of botanical watercolour paintings completed by Lucinda Mackay as part of a course undertaken at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh in 2001. Each photograph is titled with the type of plant depicted. Photographer is the late Jack Mackenzie.
Album: Portraits, 1962-2013
Album contains 38 colour photographs and prints of paintings completed by Lucinda Mackay between 1962-2013. Notable subjects include Major Hume Sleigh, Mackay's first painting commission in circa 1967; singer Ian Caddy; Professor Peter Higgs, Nobel Laureate; Mrs. Tara MacTaggart; Mrs Mollie Marcellino, first female president of the Edinburgh Scottish Arts Club; Professor Geoffrey Boulton; Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea; and the late Professor Christopher Curtis.
Album: Portraits, [Circa 1970-circa 2011]
Album contains 45 colour photographs of paintings completed by the artist Lucinda Mackay between circa 1970 and circa 2011. Notable subjects include the opera singer Ian Caddy.
Album: Portraits, Geffrye Museum work, Venice Scenes, Musicians EUSO, [1971-2017]
Album: Portraits, with some still life and landscapes, Circa 1971-2002
Album contains 49 colour photographs and prints of paintings completed by Lucinda Mackay between circa 1971-2002. Notable subjects include Professor David Daiches and his brother Lionel Daiches QC; Professor Duncan Macmillan; Dr. Emre Araci; Professor Peter Higgs; Ian Caddy; Professor John Erickson; and Dr. David Munro; cityscapes of Edinburgh and Venice; and botanical paintings.
Album: Studies of Edinburgh University String Orchestra, shown at Fioritura Exhibition, London; landscapes, townscapes and seascapes; one portrait; one ceramic., Circa 1978-2011
Display folder contains 40 photographs of paintings and one ceramic bowl completed by the artist Lucinda Mackay between circa 1978-2011. Notable painting subjects include the Edinburgh University String Orchestra; Edinburgh cityscapes and country scenes; and author Mr. Roddy Martine. Folder also includes a photograph of a handmade ceramic bowl created by Mackay in circa 1981.
Album: Urban Landscapes, Still Lives, with flowers, Fringe Benefits Exhibition, Torrance Gallery 29 August -12 September 2015 (Nos. 41A-65A), [1972-2015]
Album: Work including Venetian paintings, [1970-2013]
Album contains 31 colour photographs and prints of paintings completed by the artist Lucinda Mackay between the early 1970s and circa 2013, with 16 relating specifically to time spent in Venice, Italy in 2007. Notable subjects include Dr. Emre Araci, Edinburgh.
Article on a student expedition to Cappadocia, Turkey in 1964; accompanying correspondence with University of Edinburgh Graduates' Association Journal as publisher, 1964, 2013-2014
Artist statements by Lucinda Mackay, and references from third parties, 1970-2010, undated
Assortment of artist CVs by Lucinda Mackay, 1983-2014
This file contains a series of typescript and printed copies of Lucinda Mackay's professional curriculum vitae, in various versions, spanning the period 1983-2014. It also includes a sample of the artist's own personalised stationery paper, and three autobiographical descriptions (one e-mail and two typescript forms)
Books and articles published by Lucinda Mackay, 1964-2015
This series documents Lady Mackay's professional career as an artist, writer and teacher, containing her art-related papers, her publishing papers, art administration papers, a collection of art-related ephemera, and a file on her teaching career in England and Scotland.
Books published by Lucinda Mackay using the pseudonym Naomi de Plume, 1995-2015
This series documents Lady Mackay's professional career as an artist, writer and teacher, containing her art-related papers, her publishing papers, art administration papers, a collection of art-related ephemera, and a file on her teaching career in England and Scotland.
Christmas cards, business cards and stationery paper designed by Lucinda Mackay, 1973-1998, undated
This series documents Lady Mackay's professional career as an artist, writer and teacher, containing her art-related papers, her publishing papers, art administration papers, a collection of art-related ephemera, and a file on her teaching career in England and Scotland.
Collaborative publication projects between Lucinda Mackay and others, 1970-2016
This series documents Lady Mackay's professional career as an artist, writer and teacher, containing her art-related papers, her publishing papers, art administration papers, a collection of art-related ephemera, and a file on her teaching career in England and Scotland.
Correspondence of Lucinda Mackay, 1965-2016
This series contains correspondence files documenting Lucinda Mackay's communications with friends, close acquaintances, patrons, painting subjects, private and public galleries, and other artists. Subject matter primarily includes discussion of Mackay's creative work, upcoming exhibitions, works-in-progress, social engagements, invitations, shared cultural interests, and family news.
Display folder of photographic prints of botanical works by Lucinda Mackay, Circa 2001
Display folder contains 16 colour photographs of botanical watercolour paintings completed by the artist Lucinda Mackay, circa 2001.
Display folder of photographic prints of later works by Lucinda Mackay, with her curriculum vitae., [1977-2022]
Draft and notes towards the autobiography of Lady Lucinda Mackay, entitled 'My Life as an Artist', 2022
This series contains correspondence, ephemera, research notes, and personal photograph albums documenting Lucinda Mackay's family life, from birth to the present day. It also includes preparatory drafts and notes towards an as-yet-unpublished memoir entitled 'My Life as an Artist.'
Edited lists of various files and albums in Lady Lucinda Mackay Archive , 2004, 2014-2016, 2022
File contains edited versions of the inventories listed in MSS.50840-50841, redacting personal information to facilitate public use. Inventories pertain to Accessions 13504 and 13754.