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:
Portfolio of loose artworks by Lucinda Mackay, Circa 1997
Portfolio of loose artworks by Lucinda Mackay, concerning 'Insect Furniture Designs' and 'Jewellery Designs', Circa 1973-circa 2014
Portfolio of loose artworks by Lucinda Mackay entitled 'Life Drawings', Circa 1964-2004
Portfolio of loose artworks by Lucinda Mackay entitled 'Portrait drawings and East London prints.', 1967-2020
Portfolio of loose artworks by Lucinda Mackay entitled 'Sundry Studies', 1960-2011
Portfolio of loose artworks by Lucinda Mackay [Everyday studies], Circa 1997
Portfolio of loose artworks for 'The Zoology Anthology: A Jesty Bestiary' publication, March-May 2015
Portfolios of Loose Artworks by Lucinda Mackay, 1960-2021
A series of 6 portfolios containing loose artworks created by the artist in the course of completing various projects, including preparatory portrait drawings and academic exercises.
Postcards and cards featuring Lucinda Mackay paintings and drawings, [2000-2010]
File includes a selection of self-published postcards and a series of commercially created cards by The Edinburgh University String Orchestra; and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Publication: 'Fun de siecle : a collection of nonsense for the turn of the century', 1995-1999
This file contains letters regarding the publication of this humourous self-penned and illustrated book by Lucinda Mackay under the pen name Naomi de Plume in 1999. Contains letters of congratulations from friends and acquaintances, and sale lists for those who subscribed for its purchase upon release. Also contains a copy of the book.
Publication: 'Lucinda Mackay's new twelve days of Christmas : with a foreword by Bevis Hillier, 1999
This file contains letters, drafts, and copy illustrations regarding the publication of 'The new twelve days of Christmas', which was self-published by Lucinda Mackay in 1999. Includes letters to Bevis Hillier, who authored the foreword. Also contains a proof copy of the book.
Publication: 'Poems', 1980-1999, 2010
This file contains letters, manuscript notes, draft pages, and reproduced news reviews regarding the publication of Lucinda Mackay's debut poetry collection, Poems, by Tuba Press in 1980, including letters of editor Peter Elison. Also contains a copy of the book itself.
Scottish Arts Clubs News/Newsletters, 1986-1989, 1994-1998, 2003-2004
Editions contain illustrations by Lucinda Mackay
Short Story: 'Nonsense Tale of the Seven MI7 Eavesdropper Gnomes', Undated
This file contains a typescript draft and illustrations
Short Story: 'With Bottle', Undated
This file contains typescript drafts and illustrations
Sketchbook of Lucinda Mackay., Circa 1970
Small pocketsize hardback sketchbook containing 96 pages of ink drawings. Images are untitled and undated. Subject matter consists primarily of character studies of individuals. Artist has supplied the creation date of 'circa 1970', and a manuscript note on the inner back cover gives her address as 60 Elm Park Road, London at the time.
Sketchbook of Lucinda Mackay., Circa 1976-1982
Sketchbook of Lucinda Mackay., Circa 1977-1982
Sketchbook of Lucinda Mackay. , Circa 1977-1982
Sketchbook of Lucinda Mackay., May- July 1981
Small hardback sketchbook containing 32 pages of drawings. Mediums used include ink, pencil, and crayon. A further 2 pages contain manuscript notes by the artist on the process of preparing stoneware clay, while 38 pages remain unused. Drawing subject matter includes character studies primarily. Two images are dated. Only two are titled as follows 'Café - Camden Town' [Woman, London] and 'Pub - Camden Town 25 July 1981' [Man, London].
Sketchbook of Lucinda Mackay., [?1985]
Hardback sketchbook containing 68 pages of ink drawings, a further 12 unused pages, and two pages of manuscript notes by the artist documenting art works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The majority of images are undated and untitled, but appear to be located in London. Subject matter includes character studies; Easter Sunday 1985; cityscapes in central London, including Embankment, Charing Cross, the Strand, and Fleet Street.
Sketchbook of Lucinda Mackay, June-August 1998
Sketchbook of Lucinda Mackay, September 1999
Hardback sketchbook with woodchip paper containing 50 pages of crayon drawings. All images are untitled and only three have been dated, with each reading as 15 September 1999. Subject matter consists of figure and character studies of people encountered in everyday situations - on the street, in cafés, in shops, in parks, parents with children, workers, and pets with their owners. One image captures a person in a chicken suit [offering] balloons to a young woman.
Sketchbook of Lucinda Mackay [Edinburgh], January-May 1986
A hardback sketchbook containing 50 pages of drawings in ink and crayon.The majority of images are untitled and undated. Themes and subject matter include character studies, animals, and Edinburgh city scenes. Identified individuals include [?Iain Cameron], [?Jo Mouli], and Mr. Baker (Suffolk).