http://www.mattcouper.com/devotionalinvi
http://mattcouper.blogspot.com/2009/05/v
MARTES, EL CATORCE DE JUNIO, VEINTE-ONCE
http://www.mattcouper.com/hmvdog.html
http://www.designboom.com/history/nipper.html
http://www.mattcouper.com/hmvdog.html
http://www.designboom.com/history/nipper
JUEVES, EL NUEVE DE JULIO, VEINTE-ONCE
I was asked by the editor of the weekly newspaper, Las Vegas Citylife if I'd be interested in saying a few words about my painting that's on display at present as part of '89XXXhibition' at UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum (4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV, USA, 20 May - 9 July 2011) I'm alway happy to talk about my work, so here's the article.
I was asked by the editor of the weekly newspaper, Las Vegas Citylife if I'd be interested in saying a few words about my painting that's on display at present as part of '89XXXhibition' at UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum (4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV, USA, 20 May - 9 July 2011) I'm alway happy to talk about my work, so here's the article.
VIERNES, EL TRES DE JUNIO, VEINTE-ONCE
A short video of my ceramic 'Golgotha Wine Decanter' fresh out of the kiln. This work will be in an upcoming group exhibition at the Rayner Brothers Gallery in Whanganui, New Zealand in the latter half of the year.
A short video of my ceramic 'Golgotha Wine Decanter' fresh out of the kiln. This work will be in an upcoming group exhibition at the Rayner Brothers Gallery in Whanganui, New Zealand in the latter half of the year.
JUEVES, EL DOS DE JUNIO, VEINTE-ONCE
There's a nice little write-up about the Contemporary Art Center 22nd Annual Juried Show in Las Vegas here. The Las Vegas Weekly is a free publication delivered and available free to residents of Las Vegas.
Philip Denker: Best in Show
There's a nice little write-up about the Contemporary Art Center 22nd Annual Juried Show in Las Vegas here. The Las Vegas Weekly is a free publication delivered and available free to residents of Las Vegas.
Philip Denker: Best in Show
MIERCOLES, EL UNO DE JUNIO, VEINTI-ONCE
It's been a long time without a post, this poor blog, but I'm now back in Las Vegas, Nevada and tidying up the loose ends of post-travel paperwork.
Over the last month, I had six exhibitions on at once, five group shows in Tucson, Arizona, Whanganui and Hastings, New Zealand; and two in Las Vegas, Nevada; and a solo show at PAULNACHE in Gisborne, New Zealand.
All went very well with good sales at my solo show 'Rites in the Meadows' at PAULNACHE and 'Pop-Gun at The Rayner Brothers Gallery, a nice mention in a review of the Creative HB Invitational at the Hastings City Art Gallery. I was very honoured to learn that I had gained second prize for my art work 'The Trickle-Down Theory' at the Contemporary Arts Center. A related work titled 'The Trickle-Down Effect' is on show at the Barrick Museum, UNLV campus, Las Vegas.
'Solutio Perfecta'
2011
Oil on metal
360mm x 280mm / 11" x 14"
Private Collection, South Island, New Zealand
exhibited in 'Rites in the Meadows' at PAULNACHE, Gisborne, New Zealand
©2011, Couper Russ Studios LLC
It's been a long time without a post, this poor blog, but I'm now back in Las Vegas, Nevada and tidying up the loose ends of post-travel paperwork.
Over the last month, I had six exhibitions on at once, five group shows in Tucson, Arizona, Whanganui and Hastings, New Zealand; and two in Las Vegas, Nevada; and a solo show at PAULNACHE in Gisborne, New Zealand.
All went very well with good sales at my solo show 'Rites in the Meadows' at PAULNACHE and 'Pop-Gun at The Rayner Brothers Gallery, a nice mention in a review of the Creative HB Invitational at the Hastings City Art Gallery. I was very honoured to learn that I had gained second prize for my art work 'The Trickle-Down Theory' at the Contemporary Arts Center. A related work titled 'The Trickle-Down Effect' is on show at the Barrick Museum, UNLV campus, Las Vegas.
'Solutio Perfecta'
2011
Oil on metal
360mm x 280mm / 11" x 14"
Private Collection, South Island, New Zealand
exhibited in 'Rites in the Meadows' at PAULNACHE, Gisborne, New Zealand
©2011, Couper Russ Studios LLC
DOMINGO, EL OCHO DE MAYO, VEINTE-ONCE
There's been a bit of a lapse in posting due to traveling around New Zeland and limited access to internet connections but here's the next invitation to "Pop Gun" at the Rayner Brothers Gallery at 52 Guyton Street, Whanganui, New Zealand.
The exhibition opens on Friday the 13th of May, 2011 and features new art works related to pop music by Andrew Ritson, JK Russ, Mark and Paul Rayner and me. I'll be adding my works to my website by the opening of the exhibition and will be previewing a couple of works on my Artist facebook page.
There's been a bit of a lapse in posting due to traveling around New Zeland and limited access to internet connections but here's the next invitation to "Pop Gun" at the Rayner Brothers Gallery at 52 Guyton Street, Whanganui, New Zealand.
The exhibition opens on Friday the 13th of May, 2011 and features new art works related to pop music by Andrew Ritson, JK Russ, Mark and Paul Rayner and me. I'll be adding my works to my website by the opening of the exhibition and will be previewing a couple of works on my Artist facebook page.
MIERCOLES, EL VEINTISIETE DE ABRIL, VEINTE-ONCE
Below is the invitation to my upcoming show at PAULNACHE in New Zealand, the gallery already has the works online to view here. All the paintings have been executed while living in the USA and are a selection of direct reactions to, or mulled-over meditations of living in the USA.
The image below, 'Vision in the Meadows' (2011, Oil on metal, 200 x 270mm/ 8" x 10 1/2") depicts a devil on a toilet, an image that appears on Mexican black velvet painting, doing the devil's work, painting, in the outskirts of 'the fertile meadows/plains', which is the English translation of Las Vegas, named after the Artesian springs discovered in the valley of the area in 1829.
He has symbols of studio practice around him, the ever-pressing notion of time, the divine eye, art materials (the reversed canvas), cheese for subconscious inspiration and the egotistical notion of the need to feed something into society.
Below is the invitation to my upcoming show at PAULNACHE in New Zealand, the gallery already has the works online to view here. All the paintings have been executed while living in the USA and are a selection of direct reactions to, or mulled-over meditations of living in the USA.
The image below, 'Vision in the Meadows' (2011, Oil on metal, 200 x 270mm/ 8" x 10 1/2") depicts a devil on a toilet, an image that appears on Mexican black velvet painting, doing the devil's work, painting, in the outskirts of 'the fertile meadows/plains', which is the English translation of Las Vegas, named after the Artesian springs discovered in the valley of the area in 1829.
He has symbols of studio practice around him, the ever-pressing notion of time, the divine eye, art materials (the reversed canvas), cheese for subconscious inspiration and the egotistical notion of the need to feed something into society.
LUNES, EL DIECIOCHO DE ABRIL, VEINTE-ONCE
finally stretched up and ready to go. Am leaving this one in the USA for now. I think it's more apt here than in NZ. I was painting this way back here.
Trickle-Down Theory', 2011, oil on canvas, 58" x 46
finally stretched up and ready to go. Am leaving this one in the USA for now. I think it's more apt here than in NZ. I was painting this way back here.
Trickle-Down Theory', 2011, oil on canvas, 58" x 46
VIERNES, EL QUINCE DE ABRIL, VEINTE-ONCE
detail from Bosch's 'Death of the Miser' in the Nat. Gal. Washington DC.
I've seen this work before in the flesh, but hadn't studied it long enough to notice the pencil marks outlining unpainted forms on the shelf depicting part of the miser's material wealth. The rest of the painting has many initial sketchmarks, showing a longer arrow as held by death, the volumous toning for the curtains and some minor compositional changes. I haven't read much about the 'plastic' aspects of the painting, but it's quite odd to see so much sketching and thin paint layers remaining on a 'finished' Bosch painting, especially in comparison to his impasto paintwork on the works I've seen in the Prado. Anyway, what was interesting was that I started noticing pencil marks in a few other paintings, most noticeable in Raphael's small Cowper Madonna, where he's redrawn the position of the shoulder and veil.
detail from Bosch's 'Death of the Miser' in the Nat. Gal. Washington DC.
I've seen this work before in the flesh, but hadn't studied it long enough to notice the pencil marks outlining unpainted forms on the shelf depicting part of the miser's material wealth. The rest of the painting has many initial sketchmarks, showing a longer arrow as held by death, the volumous toning for the curtains and some minor compositional changes. I haven't read much about the 'plastic' aspects of the painting, but it's quite odd to see so much sketching and thin paint layers remaining on a 'finished' Bosch painting, especially in comparison to his impasto paintwork on the works I've seen in the Prado. Anyway, what was interesting was that I started noticing pencil marks in a few other paintings, most noticeable in Raphael's small Cowper Madonna, where he's redrawn the position of the shoulder and veil.
MARTES, EL VEINTINUEVE DE MARZO, VEINTE-ONCE
Dag Hammarskjold
2004
pencil on paper
private collection, Wellington, NZ
Dag Hammarskjold
2004
pencil on paper
private collection, Wellington, NZ
SABATO, EL VEINTISEIS DE MARZO, VEINTE-ONCE
A great little ex-voto that piqued my interest in Albuquerque at John Isaac's Antiques store in the historical area. It's got everything, aesthetically, that I like in an ex-voto, the pinky/cadmium scarlet floor, the soft blue sky and the beautifully crafted vision of Christ.
Things have been a bit hectic at my end due to several things need attending too, so that explains the lack of posts. Once cleared, I'll post the offending pieces here on the blog to catch you all up!
A great little ex-voto that piqued my interest in Albuquerque at John Isaac's Antiques store in the historical area. It's got everything, aesthetically, that I like in an ex-voto, the pinky/cadmium scarlet floor, the soft blue sky and the beautifully crafted vision of Christ.
Things have been a bit hectic at my end due to several things need attending too, so that explains the lack of posts. Once cleared, I'll post the offending pieces here on the blog to catch you all up!
SABATO, EL DIECINUEVE DE MARZO, VEINTI-ONCE
The photo, top-left, is a corpus-arm of a Crucified Christ statue that used to hang in the east chapel of the San Xavier Mission in Tucson, AZ. This is all that is left. It interested me as the rough wood skeleton is covered in canvas, then gessoed and polychromed. I knew that this was part of the process of making santos, but it's hard to see on complete forms. The saggy, torn canvas brought back memories of the skin surface of one of those bodies found in the bogs in a museum in the the UK. I also remembered a sketchbook drawing and a failed sculpture that I had made in preparation for my show at the Sarjeant in Whanganui in 2007. I had tried to recreate an arm out of cardboard and hot glue, nailed to wood with an ex-voto hanging off it. It didn't work, so I moved to casting in plaster, and the bottom left photo was the outcome. With molds, you can cast and recast, so I did a few variations on the dissected hand, looking at galvanisation, the power of the symbol of the hand. All these pics besides the San Xavier arm can be seen on the MOIV website here:
http://moiv.mattcouper.com/graveyore.html
The photo, top-left, is a corpus-arm of a Crucified Christ statue that used to hang in the east chapel of the San Xavier Mission in Tucson, AZ. This is all that is left. It interested me as the rough wood skeleton is covered in canvas, then gessoed and polychromed. I knew that this was part of the process of making santos, but it's hard to see on complete forms. The saggy, torn canvas brought back memories of the skin surface of one of those bodies found in the bogs in a museum in the the UK. I also remembered a sketchbook drawing and a failed sculpture that I had made in preparation for my show at the Sarjeant in Whanganui in 2007. I had tried to recreate an arm out of cardboard and hot glue, nailed to wood with an ex-voto hanging off it. It didn't work, so I moved to casting in plaster, and the bottom left photo was the outcome. With molds, you can cast and recast, so I did a few variations on the dissected hand, looking at galvanisation, the power of the symbol of the hand. All these pics besides the San Xavier arm can be seen on the MOIV website here:
http://moiv.mattcouper.com/graveyore.html
DOMINGO, EL SEIS DE MARZO, VEINTE-ONCE
Here's some photos of the crowd at La Luz De Jesus Gallery for the opening of 'Everything But The Kitschen Sync'. It was a great night, packed, with a bar out the back. The bottom photo shows my five little paintings in the show.
I also came back from LA with four new-to-me retablos and ex-votos, so I'll post those soon too.
Here's some photos of the crowd at La Luz De Jesus Gallery for the opening of 'Everything But The Kitschen Sync'. It was a great night, packed, with a bar out the back. The bottom photo shows my five little paintings in the show.
I also came back from LA with four new-to-me retablos and ex-votos, so I'll post those soon too.
LUNES, EL DOS DE MARZO, VEINTE-ONCE.
Five orphans that have found homes in the USA recently. I've actually only reproduced/shown one of these works on the internet, either on Facebook, this blog or my website. Many of these figures in the paintings have been kicking around in my work for several years now, yet I'm still getting milage out of them. Usually, if I'm done with them, that's it, I'll leave them be, but these ones specifically, keeps reappearing.
There probably won't be many blogposts over the next couple of days as i'll be away from my computer, but I'll update you as soon as I have a bit of spare time.
Five orphans that have found homes in the USA recently. I've actually only reproduced/shown one of these works on the internet, either on Facebook, this blog or my website. Many of these figures in the paintings have been kicking around in my work for several years now, yet I'm still getting milage out of them. Usually, if I'm done with them, that's it, I'll leave them be, but these ones specifically, keeps reappearing.
There probably won't be many blogposts over the next couple of days as i'll be away from my computer, but I'll update you as soon as I have a bit of spare time.
MARTES, EL UNO DE MARZO, VEINTE-ONCE.
Speak of the devil, this arrived in my inbox this morning, an invitation to the Creative Hawkes Bay Invitational 2011. See Sunday's post to view my painting that will be in the exhibition.
Speak of the devil, this arrived in my inbox this morning, an invitation to the Creative Hawkes Bay Invitational 2011. See Sunday's post to view my painting that will be in the exhibition.
DOMINGO, EL VIENTISIETE DE FEBRERO, VEINTE-ONCE
A triptych painting that will be exhibited in the 'Creative Hawkes Bay Invitational' at the Hastings City Art Gallery in April. The painting is titled 'Creator, Nurturer, Lifegiver' and was painted in 2010. It measures 2725mm x 1050mm.
A triptych painting that will be exhibited in the 'Creative Hawkes Bay Invitational' at the Hastings City Art Gallery in April. The painting is titled 'Creator, Nurturer, Lifegiver' and was painted in 2010. It measures 2725mm x 1050mm.
VIERNES, EL VIENTICINCO DE FEBRERO, VEINTE-ONCE
Thinking of Christchurch...If you're with Westpac, there's a safe way (by that I mean it goes to the Salvation Army via Westpac) to donate to the Christchurch Quake fund. Every little bit helps.
Thinking of Christchurch...If you're with Westpac, there's a safe way (by that I mean it goes to the Salvation Army via Westpac) to donate to the Christchurch Quake fund. Every little bit helps.
MIERCOLES, EL VEINTITRES DE FEBRERO, VEINTE-ONCE
An update for Feb / March exhibitions:
I have one exhibition now open in Brooklyn, New York at DUBpies, a small cafe at 211 Prospect Park West (corner of 16th St). This exhibition features fifty-one small paintings which can be viewed on my website at the link below:
http://www.mattcouper.com/Dubart.html
and an upcoming group exhibition at La Luz de Jesus on Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles. I have five paintings that have been accepted for the annual 'Everything But The Kitschen Sync, Vol. XVI'. More details on the La Luz De Jesus website here:
http://www.laluzdejesus.com/shows/2011/Kitschen-Sync2011/KitschenSync-index2011.htm
If you'd like more information on the exhibitions, feel free to get in contact with me by contacting me via my contact page.
You can also find more updates on upcoming exhibitions on my website homepage.
I also want to take this chance to extend my sympathies to those in Christchurch who have suffered in the recent earthquake. It was very distressing watching the events unfold so far away. My thoughts are with those who are affected.
Matt.
Snake and Monkey, 2011, oil on metal, 200mm x 275mm
An update for Feb / March exhibitions:
I have one exhibition now open in Brooklyn, New York at DUBpies, a small cafe at 211 Prospect Park West (corner of 16th St). This exhibition features fifty-one small paintings which can be viewed on my website at the link below:
http://www.mattcouper.com/Dubart.html
and an upcoming group exhibition at La Luz de Jesus on Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles. I have five paintings that have been accepted for the annual 'Everything But The Kitschen Sync, Vol. XVI'. More details on the La Luz De Jesus website here:
http://www.laluzdejesus.com/shows/2011/Kitschen-Sync2011/KitschenSync-index2011.htm
If you'd like more information on the exhibitions, feel free to get in contact with me by contacting me via my contact page.
You can also find more updates on upcoming exhibitions on my website homepage.
I also want to take this chance to extend my sympathies to those in Christchurch who have suffered in the recent earthquake. It was very distressing watching the events unfold so far away. My thoughts are with those who are affected.
Matt.
Snake and Monkey, 2011, oil on metal, 200mm x 275mm
SABATO, EL DIECINUEVE DE FEBRERO, VEINTE-ONCE
Just about fallen of the face of the earth, well, here anyway, been busy with work and also had a week of gigs, exhibition openings and meet-ups with friends, which is when I usually set up my posts for this blog.
Went to two gigs of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at Cosmopolitan on Tues and Wed, you can see pics by Jo here.
Also been busy finishing up, packing and sending paintings around the country. Some headed off to LA to La Luz De Jesus for a group exhibition opening on the 4th of March for the annual 'Everything But The Kitschen Sync, Vol XVI'.
St. Peter Crucified in New Zealand, 2011, oil on metal.
Just about fallen of the face of the earth, well, here anyway, been busy with work and also had a week of gigs, exhibition openings and meet-ups with friends, which is when I usually set up my posts for this blog.
Went to two gigs of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at Cosmopolitan on Tues and Wed, you can see pics by Jo here.
Also been busy finishing up, packing and sending paintings around the country. Some headed off to LA to La Luz De Jesus for a group exhibition opening on the 4th of March for the annual 'Everything But The Kitschen Sync, Vol XVI'.
St. Peter Crucified in New Zealand, 2011, oil on metal.
DOMINGO, EL TRECE DE FEBRERO, VEINTE-ONCE
Recently completed paintings, destined for Brooklyn, New York. Some are developments from previous paintings and drawings, (the Nubian carving in the blender, the broken heart, la Mano Poderosa, the sphinx, the Chardin painting monkey) and some are new developments from drawings and sketches since moving to the USA. The devil on the toilet painting comes from a tradition of velvet paintings that I recently discovered on the internet, once I discovered it for myself, it seemed to keep popping up everywhere (google devil on the can/john/toilet an you'll come up with several examples on Ebay, etc.) I like the devil for a couple of reasons - I see it as a follow-on from the caganer tradition in Spain and also it reminds me of a statement by Russian painter Kasimir Malevich who stated that ikon painters from Russia painted the hairs on the devil's tail the same way they'd paint the hairs on God's beard...an interesting painting dilemma. I haven't got the source for the quote as I remember reading it over a decade ago, if I remember correctly, in a Harold Rosenberg article.
Recently completed paintings, destined for Brooklyn, New York. Some are developments from previous paintings and drawings, (the Nubian carving in the blender, the broken heart, la Mano Poderosa, the sphinx, the Chardin painting monkey) and some are new developments from drawings and sketches since moving to the USA. The devil on the toilet painting comes from a tradition of velvet paintings that I recently discovered on the internet, once I discovered it for myself, it seemed to keep popping up everywhere (google devil on the can/john/toilet an you'll come up with several examples on Ebay, etc.) I like the devil for a couple of reasons - I see it as a follow-on from the caganer tradition in Spain and also it reminds me of a statement by Russian painter Kasimir Malevich who stated that ikon painters from Russia painted the hairs on the devil's tail the same way they'd paint the hairs on God's beard...an interesting painting dilemma. I haven't got the source for the quote as I remember reading it over a decade ago, if I remember correctly, in a Harold Rosenberg article.
VIERNES, EL ONCE DE FEBRERO, VEINTE-ONCE
Have been flat tack with new paintings for my next couple of shows. One in LA at La Luz De Jesus Gallery on Hollywood Blvd, which opens on the 4th of March, a little show in a cafe in Brooklyn opening next week and some works for an upcoming exhibition in Whanganui, New Zealand at the Rayner Bros. Will fill you in a bit later on with more details and the works in the shows.
In the meantime, here's a couple of studio shots:
Have been flat tack with new paintings for my next couple of shows. One in LA at La Luz De Jesus Gallery on Hollywood Blvd, which opens on the 4th of March, a little show in a cafe in Brooklyn opening next week and some works for an upcoming exhibition in Whanganui, New Zealand at the Rayner Bros. Will fill you in a bit later on with more details and the works in the shows.
In the meantime, here's a couple of studio shots:
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