Artist's hands-on approach to exhibition
An artist who is exhibiting at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) next month has turned the gallery into a studio to finish two of his mesmerising works ahead of the show.
Professional artist Jaakko Mattila, who will become the first graduate from the university to headline a major solo exhibition at the James Hockey & Foyer Galleries, invited schoolchildren and students to see how he creates his oil, watercolour and printed pieces of art.
The exhibition, Lowest Common Denominator, which runs from 7 October to 17 December 2011, will be officially opened by the Ambassador of Jaakko's native Finland, Pekka Huhtaniemi.
Jaakko, who graduated from BA (Hons) Fine Art at UCA Farnham in 2001, said: "It's a real privilege to come back to UCA and be the first graduate to show their work in a major exhibition here.
"I had some great times here as a student and really fell in love with art during my degree at Farnham. You forget how much you learn through the tutors and especially fellow students until you leave university.
"I have never painted in a gallery before but it just felt like a good idea and I'm glad I did because it has been really special to paint inside my old university again."
Jaakko wanted to inspire current students and schoolchildren with his work so he decided to finish painting two of his paintings in the gallery so they could come along and watch.
On Thursday 29 September, Year 6 pupils from Potters Gate School in Farnham visited the James Hockey & Foyer Galleries to hear from Jaakko and created their own paintings using his work as inspiration.
"It was fantastic to share my techniques with the schoolchildren and see how they interpreted my work. I can honestly say that some of their ideas have really inspired me," Jaakko added.
Potters Gate pupil, Olivia Moore, 10, said: "It's been great because not many people get to see a famous artist paint in front of them. He also gave us tips and told us that some of his work is made from splats and others take weeks to make."
Fellow pupil, Luke Austin, 10, said: "I really liked the circles he uses. We found the pictures changed as we walked around the room – I've never looked at art like this before."
Molly Parker-Nash, 10, said: "Before today I only used to like pictures of people and places but I really enjoyed looking at the colours and patterns Jaakko creates."
The Galleries Office saw the potential in Jaakko's colour and light techniques and approached the South East Physics Network (SEPnet) who will be running workshops alongside the exhibition to show young people how science and art can combine. Also, Jaakko will return to Farnham next Spring to paint the wall of the Sandy Hill Detached Youth Project with its members.
Christine Kapteijn, UCA Galleries' Curator & Manager, said: "We are very excited to welcome Jaakko back to UCA, not just because he's our first graduate to headline a major solo exhibition here but also because his work is of an astounding quality yet totally accessible in terms of its visual idiom.
"Jaakko's is an art which has the ability to capture the imagination of anyone who sees his work – young and old, art lover, student or novice.
"It is fantastic that Jaakko is so keen to share his knowledge and practices with local schoolchildren. I'm sure that his outreach work next Spring will inspire many people in the community."
The James Hockey & Foyer Galleries represent UCA in their focus on showcasing diverse approaches to the creative process of the highest quality but always in harmony with the community and student experience.
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
Twitter: @UCA_creative
Phoebe Gardiner, Galleries Office
T: 01252 89 2762
E: pgardiner@ucreative.ac.uk
Twitter: @UCAJHFG
