John Coplans 1920 - 2003
Represented by:
Bradwolff & Partners
John Coplans (1920–2003) was a British artist who explored physical and mental expressions through his photography. His self-portraits, focusing on body parts, evoke a sense of alienation, often requiring a close look to identify the depicted area. The naked body transcends specific time, social class, country, or language, allowing it to navigate freely among these categories.
Coplans' works are all titled as self-portraits, following a clear format like "self-portrait-finger," which frames his images as landscapes of the body.
He presents his aging form as both vulnerable and intriguing, challenging the cultural perception that associates old age with unattractiveness.
Beginning his artistic career at 60, Coplans examined themes of vulnerability and identity, deliberately omitting his head to provoke thought on societal views of aging. Before his photography career, he co-founded Artforum in 1962, significantly influencing contemporary art discourse. His work is housed in over seventy museum collections worldwide, underscoring his profound impact on both art and criticism. Through his lens, he invites viewers to reconsider the complexities of aging and identity.
Coplans' works are all titled as self-portraits, following a clear format like "self-portrait-finger," which frames his images as landscapes of the body.
He presents his aging form as both vulnerable and intriguing, challenging the cultural perception that associates old age with unattractiveness.
Beginning his artistic career at 60, Coplans examined themes of vulnerability and identity, deliberately omitting his head to provoke thought on societal views of aging. Before his photography career, he co-founded Artforum in 1962, significantly influencing contemporary art discourse. His work is housed in over seventy museum collections worldwide, underscoring his profound impact on both art and criticism. Through his lens, he invites viewers to reconsider the complexities of aging and identity.
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CV
Artworks by John Coplans
In museum collection:
MoMA, Museum of Modern Art, New York
Market position
John Coplans holds a distinctive place in the art world, navigating multiple roles as an artist, critic, curator, and editor. He was a key voice for the West Coast art scene, particularly through his work with Artforum, where he championed emerging artists. His curatorial efforts at the Pasadena Art Museum introduced figures like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein to a broader audience, emphasizing accessibility and inclusivity in an often elitist art environment.
As an artist, Coplans made a profound impact with his self-portraits that confront themes of aging and vulnerability. By intentionally omitting his head from the images, he redirected focus to the body itself, prompting viewers to reflect on identity and the passage of time. This approach challenges societal norms around beauty and aging, making his work relevant and influential in contemporary discussions about these topics.
As an artist, Coplans made a profound impact with his self-portraits that confront themes of aging and vulnerability. By intentionally omitting his head from the images, he redirected focus to the body itself, prompting viewers to reflect on identity and the passage of time. This approach challenges societal norms around beauty and aging, making his work relevant and influential in contemporary discussions about these topics.
CV
Education and Early Life
1920: Born in London, England.
1937: Returned to England from South Africa.
1938: Commissioned into the Royal Air Force as Acting Pilot Officer.
1940-1945: Served as platoon commander in the King's African Rifles in East Africa and later in Burma.
Early Career
1946: Demobilized and settled in London; received a grant to study art.
1950: Participated in exhibitions, including the Royal Society of British Artists and New Vision Center.
1960: Moved to the United States; settled in San Francisco as visiting assistant design professor at UC Berkeley.
Founding and Editorial Role at Artforum
1962: Co-founded Artforum; regular contributor.
1971-1976: Editor-in-Chief of Artforum; promoted critical art discourse and attention to West Coast artists.
1976: Dismissed as editor after a conflict with the publisher.
Curator and Museum Director
1965-1967: Director of the Art Gallery at the University of California, Irvine.
1967-1970: Senior curator at the Pasadena Art Museum; organized exhibitions for emerging artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.
1970: Acting director of the Pasadena Art Museum; curated the "Serial Imagery" exhibition.
1978-1979: Director of the Akron Art Museum, Ohio; focused on photography and 19th-century art.
Artistic Practice
1980: Began serious photographic career; experimented with nude photography and self-portraits.
1981: First major solo exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago.
1988: Exhibitions at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Major Exhibitions
1981, 1989: Art Institute of Chicago.
1988: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
1988: Museum of Modern Art, New York.
1990: Boymans-van Beuningen, Rotterdam.
1994: Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris.
1997: P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, New York.
1999: Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh.
Recognitions and Influence
Coplans' work is included in over seventy museum collections worldwide, highlighting his significant impact on both art and criticism. His self-portraits and critical approach to aging and identity remain relevant in contemporary art discourse.
1920: Born in London, England.
1937: Returned to England from South Africa.
1938: Commissioned into the Royal Air Force as Acting Pilot Officer.
1940-1945: Served as platoon commander in the King's African Rifles in East Africa and later in Burma.
Early Career
1946: Demobilized and settled in London; received a grant to study art.
1950: Participated in exhibitions, including the Royal Society of British Artists and New Vision Center.
1960: Moved to the United States; settled in San Francisco as visiting assistant design professor at UC Berkeley.
Founding and Editorial Role at Artforum
1962: Co-founded Artforum; regular contributor.
1971-1976: Editor-in-Chief of Artforum; promoted critical art discourse and attention to West Coast artists.
1976: Dismissed as editor after a conflict with the publisher.
Curator and Museum Director
1965-1967: Director of the Art Gallery at the University of California, Irvine.
1967-1970: Senior curator at the Pasadena Art Museum; organized exhibitions for emerging artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.
1970: Acting director of the Pasadena Art Museum; curated the "Serial Imagery" exhibition.
1978-1979: Director of the Akron Art Museum, Ohio; focused on photography and 19th-century art.
Artistic Practice
1980: Began serious photographic career; experimented with nude photography and self-portraits.
1981: First major solo exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago.
1988: Exhibitions at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Museum of Modern Art, New York.
Major Exhibitions
1981, 1989: Art Institute of Chicago.
1988: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
1988: Museum of Modern Art, New York.
1990: Boymans-van Beuningen, Rotterdam.
1994: Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris.
1997: P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, New York.
1999: Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh.
Recognitions and Influence
Coplans' work is included in over seventy museum collections worldwide, highlighting his significant impact on both art and criticism. His self-portraits and critical approach to aging and identity remain relevant in contemporary art discourse.
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