John Calcutt’s impact
on generations of students was immense through his MFA programme leadership,
his writing and his teaching practice.
on generations of students was immense through his MFA programme leadership,
his writing and his teaching practice.
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| John Calcutt at the opening of the MFA Show in 2014 |
Critical writer,
teacher and former Programme Leader of the Master of Fine Art (MFA) and MLitt at The
Glasgow School of Art, John Calcutt, has died at the age of 67.
teacher and former Programme Leader of the Master of Fine Art (MFA) and MLitt at The
Glasgow School of Art, John Calcutt, has died at the age of 67.
John Calcutt started
his career with Glasgow School of Art on 1 September 1987 teaching in the
Department of Historical and Critical Studies in addition to supporting MFA
students as a dissertation supervisor. John then moved on to teach permanently
on the MFA in 2005, and latterly made a huge contribution to the success of the
MFA through a decade of programme leadership.
his career with Glasgow School of Art on 1 September 1987 teaching in the
Department of Historical and Critical Studies in addition to supporting MFA
students as a dissertation supervisor. John then moved on to teach permanently
on the MFA in 2005, and latterly made a huge contribution to the success of the
MFA through a decade of programme leadership.
In addition to these
responsibilities John Calcutt also spent a period of time as Programme Leader
for the GSA’s newly approved MLitt in Fine Art Practice, which he co-wrote, and he
played a significant role in the bedding in of this important programme in the
GSA’s Masters portfolio.
responsibilities John Calcutt also spent a period of time as Programme Leader
for the GSA’s newly approved MLitt in Fine Art Practice, which he co-wrote, and he
played a significant role in the bedding in of this important programme in the
GSA’s Masters portfolio.
Given the depth of
John’s experience the GSA was delighted that he continued to teach after
stepping down as MFA Programme Leader in 2015.
John’s experience the GSA was delighted that he continued to teach after
stepping down as MFA Programme Leader in 2015.
“John was a much loved and well respected member of the School of Fine
Art and we understand just how keenly his passing will be felt by students, his
colleagues and the creative community in Glasgow,” says Professor Alastair Payne,
Head of the School of Art Fine Art. “We
are deeply saddened by his loss, especially his incredible talent to inspire
those around him.”
Art and we understand just how keenly his passing will be felt by students, his
colleagues and the creative community in Glasgow,” says Professor Alastair Payne,
Head of the School of Art Fine Art. “We
are deeply saddened by his loss, especially his incredible talent to inspire
those around him.”
“I knew John first when he
taught me at GSA, then through his work as a curator and writer, and finally as
a colleague when I joined the MFA teaching team some years later,” says artist and current MFA tutor, Graham
Ramsay. “We became firm friends, and it was a genuine pleasure to work with
him.”
taught me at GSA, then through his work as a curator and writer, and finally as
a colleague when I joined the MFA teaching team some years later,” says artist and current MFA tutor, Graham
Ramsay. “We became firm friends, and it was a genuine pleasure to work with
him.”
“It’s true to say that he
was a man of many hidden talents and catholic tastes. He also had a great sense
of humour and a keen critical intelligence; often the two went hand in hand, but
he was always a sensitive and generous critic.”
was a man of many hidden talents and catholic tastes. He also had a great sense
of humour and a keen critical intelligence; often the two went hand in hand, but
he was always a sensitive and generous critic.”
“John was eternally
self-effacing despite the fact that his contributions to the art scene in
Glasgow and beyond were huge. The flood of messages I’ve received over the past
few days pay ample tribute to the influence he had over generations of artists
and the high esteem in which he was held. He is already sorely missed.”
self-effacing despite the fact that his contributions to the art scene in
Glasgow and beyond were huge. The flood of messages I’ve received over the past
few days pay ample tribute to the influence he had over generations of artists
and the high esteem in which he was held. He is already sorely missed.”
“Personally, John’s wit and
intelligence are what I will remember most,” says CCA Director and GSA tutor, Francis McKee. “As
a colleague he was always a source of inspiration – I was constantly learning how to teach from watching him at work.
A few weeks ago a student described her tutorial with him as vital – he offered
searching questions and unique insights.”
intelligence are what I will remember most,” says CCA Director and GSA tutor, Francis McKee. “As
a colleague he was always a source of inspiration – I was constantly learning how to teach from watching him at work.
A few weeks ago a student described her tutorial with him as vital – he offered
searching questions and unique insights.”
He was incredibly modest
about his achievements but I was always struck by the way in which he applied
the critical tools of the MFA to his own thinking, constantly renewing his
energy and enthusiasm for teaching. His calmness and tolerance sustained a
playful and creative ambiance on the course that was appreciated by both staff
and students.
about his achievements but I was always struck by the way in which he applied
the critical tools of the MFA to his own thinking, constantly renewing his
energy and enthusiasm for teaching. His calmness and tolerance sustained a
playful and creative ambiance on the course that was appreciated by both staff
and students.
“I first got to know John when he was my tutor during undergraduate
Dissertation in the late ‘8-s at the GSA,” says artist and GSA tutor, Professor
Ross Sinclair. “I found someone in the
depths of our dialogues and discussions who became my mentor and friend, an
incisive and inspiring teacher who showed me that thinking and writing and
talking about art could and should be open and accessible to anyone. John
encouraged me to push at the limits of what was acceptable for dissertation,
for writing, for thinking and for making art.”
Dissertation in the late ‘8-s at the GSA,” says artist and GSA tutor, Professor
Ross Sinclair. “I found someone in the
depths of our dialogues and discussions who became my mentor and friend, an
incisive and inspiring teacher who showed me that thinking and writing and
talking about art could and should be open and accessible to anyone. John
encouraged me to push at the limits of what was acceptable for dissertation,
for writing, for thinking and for making art.”
“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to count him as a colleague for
almost 25 years. He was a highly respected and valuable presence in the
institution and will be sorely missed. But apart from ‘work’ we were both
possessed with a slightly over enthusiastic passions for guitars and would
often chat about our wants, needs and somewhat sheepishly about our recent
acquisitions. Keep on Rocking John, wherever you are.”
almost 25 years. He was a highly respected and valuable presence in the
institution and will be sorely missed. But apart from ‘work’ we were both
possessed with a slightly over enthusiastic passions for guitars and would
often chat about our wants, needs and somewhat sheepishly about our recent
acquisitions. Keep on Rocking John, wherever you are.”
Ends
For further information contact:
Lesley Booth
07799414474
press@gsa.ac.uk