Celebrating Mitzi Cunliffe

Few people watching the BAFTA awards last night spared much thought for the design of the iconic mask trophy that was being awarded. A constant feature of the British media landscape for over sixty years, it was designed by artist and architectural sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe.

This year marks the centenary of her birth in New York in 1918. Mitzi Cunliffe moved with her husband to Manchester in 1949 and worked in a studio in the garage of their family home in Didsbury, Manchester until 1964. Her work was included in the Festival of Britain, and her work can be seen at the universities of Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds, among other places.

The C20 Society North West group and the Manchester Modernists have now teamed up with a crowdfunding appeal to celebrate the life and work of this significant twentieth century artist. The funds raised will commemorate her achievements by installing a civic plaque on her former house and studio in Manchester, hosting a talk about this neglected artist, designer and teacher and creating an online sculpture trail of her work still in situ today in the Manchester area.

Find out more and donate to the appeal.