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Meet the Tutors: David Knapp - The Open College of the Arts

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Meet the Tutors: David Knapp

Another OCA tutor in their element. Art historian David Knapp is at home with his books in his library as Jim Unsworth and David Winning are in their respective studios. No doubt he feels equally at home in the Tate or the Uffizi. David talks with a quiet enthusiasm about his lifelong interest in art and the artists and art movements which most inspire him.
David Knapp is a tutor and assessor for Understanding Art 1, 2, and 3.

 


Posted by author: Alison Churchill

11 thoughts on “Meet the Tutors: David Knapp

  • As a painter, it’s so interesting to listen to an art historian. The real thing (particularly in Italy) must have been fabulous after looking at great art in books. Favourites in art are so difficult to define but it’s lovely that David has such a wide interest, including some on my recent research list.

    • Thanks for your comment Jean. Yes it’s true that nothing replaces actually looking at a painting “in the flesh”- and this is even more true I think now we live in a world where we are bombarded by photographic images, often on a screen. Paintings give us something else – something unique. Interestingly, though, I was talking recently to an Italian art critic who said that the same books that inspired me in Australia (An Italian series called “I Maestri del Colore”) also inspired him when he was young – and he was surrounded by art! Inspiration comes from so many different places, I guess.

  • David is my tutor for Understanding Art 1. He has been very supportive and it is great to be able to get to know one’s tutors a little better and put a face to the name. It has been very interesting to hear you speak David.

    • Thanks Suzy – glad you are enjoying the course. It was interesting, and a little nerve-wracking to say the least, to have to put things into words while being filmed! the questions were very well devised, I think.
      I am sure it makes communications with students more open and personal though, knowing more about the tutor’s interests, background etc.

  • As one of David’s students, this interview was of special interest. Through our Email correspondance, I imagined him to be a rather reflective sort of person with a wide range of interests and am glad that my “imagination has proved to be reality”.From Poetry to Art History – a wide span. Very motivating.
    Keep up the good work of “Meet the Tutors”.

    • Good to see David ‘in the flesh’. He was my tutor for my first module, introduction to Western Art, which I enjoyed very much, partly, no doubt, because of his always constructive and positive input.

      • Good to hear from you Trauti and hope your current course is going well. It was a pleasure to work with you on Level 1.

    • Glad the mental image and video reality came together for you Sonia! I have to say, though, that I don’t always look so much like a rabbit caught in the headlights of an oncoming car! I felt a bit like a politician facing a grilling on TV. Still, I’m assured I look “professorial” so I think I’ll go with that image – if I can maintain the illusion!

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