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== Career ==
== Career ==
Like other Australian printmakers, including Fred Williams, Ian Armstrong, Janet Dawson and Robert Grieve, Courier went to study abroad.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grishin |first=Sasha |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/art-of-grahame-king/oclc/69676613 |title=The art of Grahame King |last2=King |first2=Grahame E |last3=Bright |first3=Libby |date=2005 |publisher=Macmillan Art Publishing |isbn=978-1-876832-59-9 |location=South Yarra, Vic. |pages=34 |language=English |oclc=69676613}}</ref> He attended the [[Slade School of Fine Art|Slade School]] in London 1952-54.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=McCulloch |first=Alan |url=http://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/80568976.html |title=The new McCulloch's encyclopedia of Australian art |last2=McCulloch |first2=Susan |last3=McCulloch Childs |first3=Emily |date=2006 |publisher=AUS Art Editions |isbn=9780522853179 |edition=4 |location=Fitzroy BC, Vic. |pages=345 |language=English |oclc=608565596}}</ref> Not long after his return he exhibited paintings, drawings and lithographs made in London at [[Peter Bray Gallery]] in March 1957. ''The Age'' art critic wrote of "the newcomer" as;<blockquote>"an artist of Integrity and personal feeling. Working in the subdued English light he has evolved a low-toned, misty style in his oils, which leaves him little tonal range. But within the limits he allows himself he can create an effect of depth and space which enriches his quiet canvases [...] The color is deliberately unobtrusive, but it Is an organic part of these works," going on to remark on his skilful draughtsmanship to conclude that "he is almost certainly an artist to watch."<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last="The Age" Art Critic |date=19 March 1957 |title=Art Notes : Shows of paintings - past and present |pages=2 |work=The Age}}</ref></blockquote>His friend and colleague Pater Peter organised the acquisition of Courier’s works by the National Gallery of Australia,<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Butler |first=Roger |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/place-made-australian-print-workshop/oclc/1058035653 |title=Place made: Australian print workshop |last2=Virgo |first2=Anne |last3=National Gallery of Australia |date=2004 |publisher=National Gallery of Australia ; University of Washington Press [distributor |isbn=978-0-642-54155-0 |location=Canberra; Seattle, WA |language=English |oclc=1058035653}}</ref> where Roger Butler, a senior curator remarked that "Jack is arguably Australia’s finest stone lithographer whose place in Australian printmaking history..."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sidaoui |first=Maha |date=2020-03-19 |title=Honouring Jack Courier’s Legacy |url=https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/22/1-22/honouring-jack-couriers-legacy/ |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=O&G Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
Like other Australian printmakers, including Fred Williams, Ian Armstrong, Janet Dawson and Robert Grieve, Courier went to study abroad.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grishin |first=Sasha |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/art-of-grahame-king/oclc/69676613 |title=The art of Grahame King |last2=King |first2=Grahame E |last3=Bright |first3=Libby |date=2005 |publisher=Macmillan Art Publishing |isbn=978-1-876832-59-9 |location=South Yarra, Vic. |pages=34 |language=English |oclc=69676613}}</ref> From 1950 to 1951 he travelled in Europe, then funded by a British Council Bursary returned to England 1954-1956 to study painting, drawing, lithography with Lynton Lamb and Ceri Richards and also etching at the [[Slade School of Fine Art|Slade School]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=McCulloch |first=Alan |url=http://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/80568976.html |title=The new McCulloch's encyclopedia of Australian art |last2=McCulloch |first2=Susan |last3=McCulloch Childs |first3=Emily |date=2006 |publisher=AUS Art Editions |isbn=9780522853179 |edition=4 |location=Fitzroy BC, Vic. |pages=345 |language=English |oclc=608565596}}</ref> On his return to Melbourne, he set up the first printmaking department at [[Prahran College|Prahran Technical School]]. Not long after his return he exhibited paintings, drawings and lithographs made in London at [[Peter Bray Gallery]] in March 1957. ''The Age'' art critic wrote of "the newcomer" as;<blockquote>"an artist of Integrity and personal feeling. Working in the subdued English light he has evolved a low-toned, misty style in his oils, which leaves him little tonal range. But within the limits he allows himself he can create an effect of depth and space which enriches his quiet canvases [...] The color is deliberately unobtrusive, but it Is an organic part of these works," going on to remark on his skilful draughtsmanship to conclude that "he is almost certainly an artist to watch."<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last="The Age" Art Critic |date=19 March 1957 |title=Art Notes : Shows of paintings - past and present |pages=2 |work=The Age}}</ref></blockquote>His friend and colleague Peter Jacobs organised the acquisition of Courier’s works by the [[National Gallery of Australia]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Butler |first=Roger |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/place-made-australian-print-workshop/oclc/1058035653 |title=Place made: Australian print workshop |last2=Virgo |first2=Anne |last3=National Gallery of Australia |date=2004 |publisher=National Gallery of Australia ; University of Washington Press [distributor |isbn=978-0-642-54155-0 |location=Canberra; Seattle, WA |language=English |oclc=1058035653}}</ref> where Roger Butler, a senior curator remarked that "Jack is arguably Australia’s finest stone lithographer..."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sidaoui |first=Maha |date=2020-03-19 |title=Honouring Jack Courier’s Legacy |url=https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/22/1-22/honouring-jack-couriers-legacy/ |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=O&G Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Teaching ==
== Teaching ==
Line 21: Line 21:


=== Solo ===
=== Solo ===
* 1957, March: Peter Bray Gallery<ref name=":5" />
* 1957, 19–28 March: [[Peter Bray Gallery]]<ref name=":5" />
* 1966, from 30 January: Exhibition of paintings and prints by Jack Courier. North Adelaide Galleries<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Jack Courier : Exhibitions |url=https://www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/search/?q=Jack+Courier&num_results=20&view=list&order_by= |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au}}</ref>
* 1991, 28 November – 18 December: Eastgate Gallery<ref>{{Cite book |last=Eastgate Gallery |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/works-on-paper-november-28th-december-18th-1991/oclc/781543843 |title=Works on paper: November 28th - December 18th 1991. |date=1991 |publisher=Eastgate Gallery |isbn=978-1-875517-05-3 |location=Hawthorn, Vic. |language=English |oclc=781543843}}</ref>
* 1991, 28 November – 18 December: Eastgate Gallery<ref>{{Cite book |last=Eastgate Gallery |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/works-on-paper-november-28th-december-18th-1991/oclc/781543843 |title=Works on paper: November 28th - December 18th 1991. |date=1991 |publisher=Eastgate Gallery |isbn=978-1-875517-05-3 |location=Hawthorn, Vic. |language=English |oclc=781543843}}</ref>
* 2009: Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum<ref name=":3" />
* 2009: [[Castlemaine Art Museum|Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum]]<ref name=":3" />
* 1963, May: Landscapes. Concurrent with solo show by wife Mary McLeish. Australian Galleries, Collingwood<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shore |first=Arnold |date=21 May 1963 |title=Art Notes |pages=5 |work=The Age}}</ref>
* 1963, May: Landscapes. Concurrent with solo show by wife Mary McLeish. Australian Galleries, Collingwood<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shore |first=Arnold |date=21 May 1963 |title=Art Notes |pages=5 |work=The Age}}</ref>
* 1989: Jack Courier, lithographs and oils. Eastgate Gallery<ref name=":7" />
* 2003: ''Lithographs and gouaches by Jack Courier''. The Rotunda, Hong Kong<ref name=":7" />


=== Group ===
=== Group ===
* 1952, Melbourne Contemporary Artists annual exhibition. Victorian Artists Society, East Melbourne<ref name=":4" />
* 1952, Melbourne Contemporary Artists annual exhibition. Victorian Artists Society, East Melbourne<ref name=":4" />
* 1992: Classical Modernism: The George Bell Circle. National Gallery of Victoria<ref name=":2" />
* 1992: Classical Modernism: The George Bell Circle. [[National Gallery of Victoria]]<ref name=":2" />
* 1970, March: Leveson Street Gallery, North Melbourne<ref>{{Cite news |last=Galbally |first=Ann |date=25 March 1970 |title=Prints that impress |pages=2 |work=The Age}}</ref>
* 1970, March: Leveson Street Gallery, North Melbourne<ref>{{Cite news |last=Galbally |first=Ann |date=25 March 1970 |title=Prints that impress |pages=2 |work=The Age}}</ref>


Revision as of 07:41, 13 July 2022

Jack Courier (1915– 2007), a.k.a. John, was an Australian Modernist printmaker, painter and teacher.[1]

Early life and education

Courier was born in 1915 in Elwood. As a young man he took various jobs including work as a salesman in country towns.[2]

He studied at the school established by George Bell and Arnold Shore at 443 Bourke Street, Melbourne, which became a centre for modernist art in Melbourne.[3][4] He exhibited with the George Bell Group in 1949 and with the Melbourne Contemporary Artists in 1952.[5] An early review by The Age art critic of the exhibition of the George Bell Group in their annual exhibition at the Victorian Artists' Society's Gallery, Albert Street, East Melbourne, noted that his painting The Red Chair was, and one by Peter Cox, were works "by younger men that impress"[6]

Career

Like other Australian printmakers, including Fred Williams, Ian Armstrong, Janet Dawson and Robert Grieve, Courier went to study abroad.[7] From 1950 to 1951 he travelled in Europe, then funded by a British Council Bursary returned to England 1954-1956 to study painting, drawing, lithography with Lynton Lamb and Ceri Richards and also etching at the Slade School.[1] On his return to Melbourne, he set up the first printmaking department at Prahran Technical School. Not long after his return he exhibited paintings, drawings and lithographs made in London at Peter Bray Gallery in March 1957. The Age art critic wrote of "the newcomer" as;

"an artist of Integrity and personal feeling. Working in the subdued English light he has evolved a low-toned, misty style in his oils, which leaves him little tonal range. But within the limits he allows himself he can create an effect of depth and space which enriches his quiet canvases [...] The color is deliberately unobtrusive, but it Is an organic part of these works," going on to remark on his skilful draughtsmanship to conclude that "he is almost certainly an artist to watch."[8]

His friend and colleague Peter Jacobs organised the acquisition of Courier’s works by the National Gallery of Australia,[9] where Roger Butler, a senior curator remarked that "Jack is arguably Australia’s finest stone lithographer..."[10]

Teaching

Courier taught at Caulfield Technical College where he introduced the teaching of lithography,[11][12] at Prahran College, and Swinburne Technical College.[1][9] He also taught silk screening and drawing at Pentridge Gaol.[2]

Courier was a foundation member of the Print Council of Australia and exhibited with them, including in touring shows.

Personal life

Later in life Courier married painter Mary McLeish. They exhibited together and she was frequently a finalist in the Archibald Prize. Their daughter was Mary Courier McLeish.

Exhibitions

Solo

  • 1957, 19–28 March: Peter Bray Gallery[8]
  • 1966, from 30 January: Exhibition of paintings and prints by Jack Courier. North Adelaide Galleries[13]
  • 1991, 28 November – 18 December: Eastgate Gallery[14]
  • 2009: Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum[12]
  • 1963, May: Landscapes. Concurrent with solo show by wife Mary McLeish. Australian Galleries, Collingwood[15]
  • 1989: Jack Courier, lithographs and oils. Eastgate Gallery[13]
  • 2003: Lithographs and gouaches by Jack Courier. The Rotunda, Hong Kong[13]

Group

  • 1952, Melbourne Contemporary Artists annual exhibition. Victorian Artists Society, East Melbourne[5]
  • 1992: Classical Modernism: The George Bell Circle. National Gallery of Victoria[4]
  • 1970, March: Leveson Street Gallery, North Melbourne[16]

Collections

  • National Gallery of Australia[17][9]
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales
  • Art Gallery of South Australia[18]
  • National Gallery of Victoria[19]
  • Castlemaine Art Museum[20]
  • Latrobe Valley[1]
  • Mildura[1]
  • Warrnambool[1]

Awards

1975: Alice Springs Prize (print acquired)[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g McCulloch, Alan; McCulloch, Susan; McCulloch Childs, Emily (2006). The new McCulloch's encyclopedia of Australian art (4 ed.). Fitzroy BC, Vic.: AUS Art Editions. p. 345. ISBN 9780522853179. OCLC 608565596.
  2. ^ a b Blackman, Barbara; Courier, Jack (1989), Interview with John Courier, artist, OCLC 221332806, retrieved 2022-07-13 Cite error: The named reference ":1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ Williams, Fred, "Bell, George Frederick Henry (1878–1966)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 2022-07-13
  4. ^ a b Moore, Felicity St. John; National Gallery of Victoria (1992), Classical modernism: the George Bell circle., Melbourne, Vic.: National Gallery of Victoria, OCLC 37096859, retrieved 2022-07-13
  5. ^ a b ""The Age" Art Critic" (14 October 1952). "Art Notes : Impressive Display of Contemporary Work". The Age. p. 2.
  6. ^ "The Age" Art Critic (18 October 1949). "Art Notes". The Age. p. 2.
  7. ^ Grishin, Sasha; King, Grahame E; Bright, Libby (2005). The art of Grahame King. South Yarra, Vic.: Macmillan Art Publishing. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-876832-59-9. OCLC 69676613.
  8. ^ a b "The Age" Art Critic (19 March 1957). "Art Notes : Shows of paintings - past and present". The Age. p. 2.
  9. ^ a b c Butler, Roger; Virgo, Anne; National Gallery of Australia (2004). Place made: Australian print workshop. Canberra; Seattle, WA: National Gallery of Australia ; University of Washington Press [distributor. ISBN 978-0-642-54155-0. OCLC 1058035653.
  10. ^ Sidaoui, Maha (2020-03-19). "Honouring Jack Courier's Legacy". O&G Magazine. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  11. ^ Stocky, Catherine (2006). Jack Courier - master lithographer (Thesis).
  12. ^ a b Courier, Jack; Stocky, Catherine; Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum (2009). Jack Courier (1915-2007): lithographs. Castlemaine, Vic.: Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum. OCLC 653970903.
  13. ^ a b c "Jack Courier : Exhibitions". www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  14. ^ Eastgate Gallery (1991). Works on paper: November 28th - December 18th 1991. Hawthorn, Vic.: Eastgate Gallery. ISBN 978-1-875517-05-3. OCLC 781543843.
  15. ^ Shore, Arnold (21 May 1963). "Art Notes". The Age. p. 5.
  16. ^ Galbally, Ann (25 March 1970). "Prints that impress". The Age. p. 2.
  17. ^ "Jack Courier". National Gallery of Australia. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  18. ^ "Jack Courier". Art Gallery of South Australia. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  19. ^ "John Courier". National Gallery of Victoria. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  20. ^ "Jack Courier (b.1915, d.2007)". Castlemaine Art Museum Collection Online. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
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