Occupation: Sculptor
Comments: The critical tone of this article is perhaps because it was extracted from a M. A. thesis on sculpture in NZ.
Initially worked with his father, Charles, but got a job with Tangyes, an engineering firm in Birmingham, so that he could attend the Birmingham School of Art. Between 1884 and 1888 he earned certificates in such subjects as freehand drawing, model drawing, geometry and perspective, drawing from casts and light and shade from casts and from models.
Stayed in England when his parents and siblings emmigrated to NZ 1885/6. c1888/9 he became ill with "brain fever" and his parents sent for him from NZ. During a year of recuperation he probably met is wife (Kitty) while camping at the coppermine. He got a job teaching at the Canterbury School of Art and was teaching there and engaged to Kitty by 1892 and married Jan 7th, 1896 (Nelson) (p7-8,10, E. B. Kidson 1957 "Family Portrait").
In 1903 he travelled to England for 6 months for further training in art, staying with his brother Fred in London and returning to NZ early 1904 (p12-14 E. B. Kidson 1957 "Family Portrait"). As well as his teaching Charles produced a number of private commisions. In 1906 he resigned from the school of art and became a full-time artist. Shortly after John (Jack) Oxley KIDSON was born Charles developed eye trouble, the first sign of Bright's Disease (acute glomerulo nephritis - kidney inflammation), the illness that was to end his brief life on Oct 2nd 1908 aged 40.
A few named art works:
- <1896 large oil of Luke Adams at the pottery works in Sydnam and a small sketch in water colours (owned by Adams family)
- 1905 sculpture of the John Grigg memorial in Ashburton
- some oils mostly human figure, some landscapes and still-lifes
- portrait of his father in blacksmith's workshop and a portrait of a paper-boy both faded due to poor paint quality
- <1906 memorial to the wife of Professor McMillian Brown in the Girls' High School in CHCH
- <1906 sculpture for the Kiapoi Maori Monument (large stone maori carving)
- <1906 two marble reliefs: "Dawn" modelled by Charles (owned initially by Harry Kidson) and "The Moon" a woman's profile inspired by Kitty drying her hair
- 1906 maori head representing the spirit of Te Raparaha
- plaster busts of Frank and Leonard Isitt
- 1906 or 1907 relief of Seddon for the doorway of the Christchurch Technical College (Barbados St)
- 1907 plaster, then marble posthumous bust of Seddon
- 1907 marble head "Daughter of Eve" modelled by Elsa Kidson (aged 2) in McDougall art gallery
- 1907 marble bust of Sir John Hall
- 1907 marble bust of the Hon. E. C. J. Stevens made in plaster and copied in marble overseas (originator of the Public Trust Office)
From "Family Portrait" by E. B. KIDSON
In London on his brother Frederick's wedding day (from "Family Portrait" by E. B. KIDSON).
1881 census
Household:
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability
Charles KIDSON Head M Male 39 Bilston, Stafford, England Blacksmith Employing 2 Boys & 2 Men
Christiana KIDSON Wife M Female 38 Bilston, Stafford, England Wife
Christiana KIDSON Daur U Female 15 Bilston, Stafford, England Scholar
Charles KIDSON Son U Male 13 Bilston, Stafford, England Scholar
Henry Thos. KIDSON Son U Male 9 Bilston, Stafford, England Scholar
Frederick Jnr. KIDSON Son U Male 7 Bilston, Stafford, England Scholar
Annie KIDSON Daur U Female 3 Bilston, Stafford, England Scholar
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Source Information:
Dwelling 9 Bilston St
Census Place Wednesfield, Stafford
Spouse: Kitty Esther Hounsell (Married 7-Jan-1896)
Children: Charles Idrys Kidson, Edward Winton (Bill) Kidson, Elsa Beatrice Kidson, John (Jack) Oxley Kidson
Charles's Heritage
Parents: Charles Kidson, Christiana DORE or OXLEY
Siblings: Christiana Kidson, Henry (Harry) Thomas Kidson, Frederick John Kidson, Annie Kidson, Edward (Ted) Kidson, George Rudal (Ru) Kidson, Harold Percy Kidson