I've been inspired to look back over this blog recently, which doesn't quite set it out as it happened, but does give an idea of the "unfolding" nature of this project.
My aunt Hannah Frank (Mrs Hannah Levy) died on 18th December 2008. I was so privileged to be able to be with her when she died - together with her nephew David Samuels and his wife Jemima. My mission - to make her a "household name in her lifetime" - seems to have worked. Her death was announced on BBC Radio Scotland - and on BBC Scotland Ceefax. And Glasgow University had, the day before she died, written to her offering her an Honorary Doctor of Letters in honour of her international reputation.
I think this article in the Jewish Chronicle in August last year, by Julia Weiner (who also wrote a lovely obituary this month) is about the best one I've read about the "mission":
http://www.thejc.com/articles/hannah-frank-the-artist-who-%EF%AC%81nally-won-recognition-100
and this one by Moira Jeffrey is a beautiful one about her art:
http://www.theherald.co.uk/search/display.var.2452820.0.a_career_100_years_in_the_making.php
We're currently preparing for my aunt's Stone Setting and memorial service, to be held on 25th July 2009 at 10.30 a.m. at Cathcart Cemetery, Glasgow, and afterwards at Garnethill Synagogue, where some of her albums from the 1920s and more recent cuttings books will be on show at the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Saturday, August 30, 2008
100th birthday 23 August 2008 - more photos by Kush Budha
After a special service at Garnethill Synagogue - where the Rev Aharon Soudry mentioned Hannah in his sermon, and family and friends joined the congregation for a delicious Kiddush where they were entertained by a fabulous speech by Miriam Margolyes - a VERY small family gathering was held for Hannah at the care home where she lives. We read her the fabulous article "Artist of the Century" from that day's edition of the Scottish Daily Mail -and Archie Hunter, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, came to read her the telegram from the Queen. And see the other post for the 'eminent visitors' who also came to see her on her birthday.
Present at the gathering l-r Mai and Jonathan Frank from Boston, Lynn and Peter Rankin from Preston, Fiona Frank, David and Julie Frank from Jersey, Rob Steen (in hat) from Lewes, Sarah Frank (currently based in Paris and Dublin). Bottom row Jen Rankin (currently based in London), Anna Huxham (Lancaster) and Evie Steen from Lewes.
After a feast of chocolate, Hannah went to bed... surrounded by at least 100 cards sent to her by family, friends and fans.
100th birthday 23 August 2008 - photos by Kush Budha
Visitors to Westacres on Hannah's birthday included actress Miriam Margolyes - who'd flown in that morning from Chicago! The local MSP and MP Ken Macintosh and Jim Murphy also dropped in. Jim, who's Minister for Europe in the current Labour government, took time out of his own birthday celebrations to share some chocolate with Hannah - though he was born on 23 August 1967, shares a birthday with Hannah - though he was only born in 1967, nearly 60 years after our illustrious artist.
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