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Barr, James, ARSA

1911 – 1969

RSA Annual Report, 1969, Notice XVIII, Obituaries (b); JAMES BARR ARSA ARBS. James barr was born in Kinning Park, Glasgow, in 1911, the eldest of a family of five. He attended bellahouston Academy, and, after taking his Highers, entered the office of a Govan shipyard. This he hated. Some amelioration came through Art Classes in Evening School. Subsequently, he enrolled in Glasgow School of Art and wa staught by Archibald Dawson. In 1931 he won the Haldane Scholarship, in 1932 the John H Burnett Prize, and in 1933 a Maintenance Scholarship for a fifth year. he also won a Royal Scottish Academy Carnegie Travelling Scholarship. Mr Barr asssited Dawson to create the great figur eof St Andrew for the Empire Exhibition held in Bellahouston Park in 1938, and in that year he joined the staff of Glasgow School of Art, but on the outbreak of war the School was closed and the Staff dismissed. Mr Barr volunteered for the Air Force and wa spassed A1, but he was never called up: instead he wa semployed as a rivetter by James Howden of Glasgow, maker of aeroplane parts. In 1945 he applied successfully to be re-admitted to the staff of the Art School. After the retirement of Benno Schotz he presented the Diploma students for five years. Mr Barr was an Associate Member of the Society of British Sculptors. Example sof his work are:- Carving: The Pulpit of St Michael's Church, Linlithgow. Six stone panels in relief on the National Library of Scotland. Bronzes: John Logie Baird for the University of Strathclyde. The Duchess of hamilton for the Lamlash Hospital, Arran. Memorial Panels in the high School, Glasgow, to (1) Dr John Hutchison (2) Dr Harry J Spencer. Fibre Glass: Crest for the Spastic Children's Home in Ayrshire. Trophy: Rugby Trophy for the High School (McCann Trophy (Memorial)). In 1963 Mr Barr was elected an Assocaite of the Royal Scottish Academy. His warm and friendly personality and his ready smile made him a popular Member, and he will be sadly missed by his many friends. He died suddenly on 6th January, 1969, at the age of fifty-seven. he is survived by his wife, son, and daughter."



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