May Smith (textile designer)

Smith was part of a movement of women who were instrumental in bringing new artistic ideas to New Zealand and influencing the art of the country.

[3] Because the procedures included long periods of enforced inactivity, her grandmother encouraged her to use this time to learn to paint.

[1] When she was mobile again at school she received formal art training, first at a convent in Mussoorie and later at Loreto College in Simla.

[3] Her attempts at obtaining work in book illustration or commercial art were also unsuccessful, especially because many places "refused to hire women when so many men were unemployed.

She had some success selling her hand-printed fabric to boutique stores such as Peter Jones and Heal and Sons but did no repeat business.

"[3] As a member of these political discussions, Smith was considered a "quiet leader" who was good at redirecting poorly thought out ideas.

[4] She continued to exhibit her hand-printed fabrics in group shows with the artist A. R. D. Fairburn and her work sold in a number of Auckland and Wellington shops including the Helen Hitchings Gallery.

In 1974 she married John Fowler who was very helpful and supportive of her art, creating an "ideal environment for a painter to work in" for her.