Who is Jack Coutu?
9 July - 6 August 2011
Foyer Gallery, UCA Farnham
'Who is Jack Coutu?' exhibits a selection of prints and Netsuke sculptures by Farnham-born artist Jack Coutu.
Coutu trained as both a printmaker and sculptor at the Royal College of Art, and institutions now known as Central Saint Martins and the University for the Creative Arts. He later taught printmaking at UCA Farnham, when it was called West Surrey College of Art & Design, for 20 years and retired in 1985.
More than 50 of Coutu's etchings and engravings, spanning a period from 1953 to 1985, were donated to the UCA Collection in 2004, a number of which are currently on loan to the Aldershot Centre for Health. He is influenced by the leafy landscape of Surrey and by oriental art encountered whilst stationed in Japan with the Army. Coutu's works are abstractions of nature and visualisations of legends, yet can seem curiously bold and mechanical.
In addition to printmaking, Coutu is particularly well-known for producing intricate hand-carved Netsuke – a type of miniature sculpture originally invented in Japan to fasten pouches, a 17th Century precursor to the bum-bag, around one's waist. Formed from materials such as boar tusks, deer horn and boxwood, a selection of these from the artist's personal collection will be on display during this exhibition.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to unexpected maintenance work in the Foyer Gallery, 'Who is Jack Coutu?' will now be closing on the earlier date of Saturday 6 August.
The main public entrance to the Galleries will be out of use from Monday 8 August. Visitors will still be able to access the James Hockey Gallery through the University Entrance, which will be signposted a little further down Falkner Road.
Any queries, please call the Galleries Office on 01252 892671
James Hockey & Foyer Galleries, UCA Farnham
The James Hockey & Foyer Galleries are public exhibition spaces. The aim is to present work of lasting educational importance, which will invite participation and contribute to the public and professional debate. Respect for the specialist appreciation of disciplines, media and techniques remains vital to the promotion of the arts at the Galleries.
Opening Times
Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Closed Sunday & Bank Holidays
Admission free.
There is full disabled access to the galleries.
