Born 1930 Wynberg, Cape Town

A sculptor of figures and wildlife. Works in bronze. 

Studies:  1961 – 63 Cape Town Training College, under Stephen de Villiers gaining a Higher Primary Teachers Certificate; 1983 SA Institute of Foundrymen, under Dr A Koursaris.

Profile:  A member of the SAAA; 1964 taught at the Alicedale Primary School, Cape Province; from 1976 a sculpture teacher at Studio 6, Wynberg, Cape Town; 1978-81 at Cape Town Art Centre and in 1986 at Disa House, Cape Town. 1970 – 71 illustrated Douglas Hey’s articles for Die Burger; 1975 designed a birds of prey identification poster for the Department of Nature and Environmental Conservation; 1983 illustrations for a medical textbook, by K E Sapire. 1971 – 75 a restorer with the Department of Nature and Environmental Conservation. In 1983 she opened a bronze foundry in Cape Town and was elected a member of the SA Institute of Foundrymen. 1980 visited the USA. Jean Doyle is one of South Africa’s leading sculptors. Born in this country, she has integrated images of Africa with the influence of European culture. Her realism cloaks universal truths and hides a sometimes revolutionary spirit.

Exhibitions:  From 1980 she has participated in several group exhibitions in the USA and SA; 1980 The Venue, Sea Point, Cape Town, first of five solo exhibitions held in SA and SWA/Namibia.Doyle has had numerous solo exhibitions and has taken part in many group exhibitions. Her work is in private collections all over the world. All the work is cast by the Doyle Art Foundry, which opened in 1980.The ancient art of casting by the lost wax method is incorporated with modern ceramic shell techniques. The artist is thus able to work in close collaboration with the skilled and experienced foundry technicians to create her marvelous and satisfying bronzes.

Represented:  Pietersburg Collection; University of the North and the Peninsula Technicon.

Public Commissions:  Several portrait busts from 1980; 1984 “ Just Nuisance”, Simonstown , the statue of Just Nuisance can be seen on Jubilee Square in Simonstown. Doyle was awarded the commission in a country-wide competition and completed it in 1985.; 1984 Commemorative plaque of Mansergh, Cape Agulhas. Other works include a bust of Prof. Pearson, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; Charles Bell, who was a founder member of Old Mutual, and the memorial to Jimmy Steele, Hout Bay Museum. Corporate commissions include those from Engen, Murray and Roberts and Hewlett Packard.