2012. Rob Couch. Biography

Rob Couch was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and lived in Australia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia before moving to Montreal in 1983. His interest in art began when he was a child drawing portraits, producing his first sculpture, in sandstone at the age of twelve. Because of the demands of his career, art was by necessity a secondary pursuit until 1999. Since then he has been able to make sculpture his primary focus. Plaster, clay, stone, wood and wax have all been explored by the artist. Although he has been eclectic in his choice of techniques and materials, Couch's first preference is direct carving in stone and wood.

The body, in stasis or in motion, whether languid or vigorous, intrigues Couch. Through sculpture he explores the forms, planes and spaces created by the simple fluidity of movement. The inner tension, which fills each figure, flows from within its mass to harmonize with and subtly shape the surrounding space. Implicit within many of these predominantly feminine figures is a dialogue between the left and right sides, the yin and yang, the transitory and the lasting. The complexity of the human body continues to fascinate the artist and compels him to return again and again to the exploration of its esthetics.