In 1948 she continued her studies in Lima, Peru, at the Escuela de Belles Artes. Her primary interest there was in Inca pottery, a form of expression that she could relate to the Caribbean's pre-Columbian art. In 1943 Atteck attended the School of Fine Arts, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, where she was a student of the German Expressionist painter, Max Beckmann. Beckmann was to have a profound effect on Atteck's work and, in turn, a controversial impact on the Public Library in Port of Spain and at the Town Hall in San Fernando. Her work was strongly criticized as being un-Trinidadian.
Despite this, Atteck's images and style form the nucleus of Trinidad's first recognizable school which prevailed throughout the 1950's and '60's. Those influenced by the Atteck genre were, among others, Carlyle Chang, Willi Chen, Leo Glasgow and Nina Squires.
Through her expressionist images, Atteck celebrated the birth of a new nation and the hopes and aspiration of Independence, portraying Trinidad's landscape, birds, dances and festivals as the new symbols of national identity.
Education
1948 Escuela de Belles Artes, Lima, Peru
1942 University for Foreigners, Italy
1935 School of Fine Arts, Washington University, St Louis, USA ( B.F.A.)
Regent Street Polytechnic, London
Bishop Anstey High School, Port of Spain
Professional Employment
1966 - 71 St Francois Girls College, Art Mistress
1952 - 60 St Joseph Convent, Port of spain, Art Mistress
1943 - September - Foundation Member, Trinidad Art Society, Executive and Life Member
Part time lecturer on Art, Extra-Mural Separtment, University of the West Indies and the Dept .of Culture
1931 - 42 Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture, P o S, Scientific Illustrator-Cartographer- Min. of Agriculture
Exhibitions
Group Shows
Exhibitions of the Trinidad Art Society
Solo Exhibitions
1948 First Solo exhibition, Trinidad Public Library
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London
Alcoa Caribbean Exhibition
Sybil Atteck was born in Rio Claro, Trinidad on February 3rd, 1911. When she was in her early teens, the Atteck family moved to Port of Spain where, encouraged by their grandmother, they became involved in many of the art forms: music, crochet, embroidery, flower arranging and designing Carnival costumes. The family members even formed a small orchestra, with Sybil playing the Hawaiian guitar. Sybil and her six sisters were also encouraged to be intellectually independent. 
