Graham Knuttel (10 March 1954 – 27 May 2023) was an Irish painter and sculptor, whose work has been collected by various celebrities, such as Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Jordan and Michael Stipe.[1][2] Initially known for sculpture, he was later notably primarily as a painter.[3]

Graham Knuttel
Born(1954-03-10)10 March 1954
Dublin, Ireland
Died27 May 2023(2023-05-27) (aged 69)
NationalityIrish
EducationDún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology
Occupation(s)Painter, sculptor
SpouseRuth Mathers

Early life and education

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Knuttel was born in Dublin on 10 March 1954,[4] several years after his parents had moved to Ireland from England.[3][5] His father was born in Germany and was Jewish; he had emigrated to England with his mother after World War I and served with the RAF.[6][7][8] Graham's mother was a Unitarian from Northampton.[6][7][8] Knuttel's brother and a nephew are also artists.[9]

Knuttel attended Sandford Park School, later graduating from the Dún Laoghaire school of Art and Design with a Diploma in Fine Art Sculpture.[3][5]

Career

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Knuttel drew, painted and made sculptures. He worked with figure drawing and painting, and was inspired in part by Cezanne and Picasso.[10]

In 1976 he won the Royal Canada Trust Award for young Sculptors.[11]

In 1981 he co-founded Wicklow Fine Art Press.[11] He received commissions to paint Sylvester Stallone, Christy Moore, John B. Keane and Don King.[11]

In 2008 An Post released two Knuttel-designed stamps to commemorate the Summer Olympics that year.[12]

Death

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Knuttel died on 27 May 2023, at the age of 69.[13][4]

References

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  1. ^ Knutteling down for Xmas - Bah, Humbug!, 16 December 2003, retrieved 3 March 2009
  2. ^ Going nuts for Knuttel’s work, The Sunday Business Post, 1 July 2007, retrieved 3 March 2009
  3. ^ a b "Graham Knuttel obituary". The Times. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b My brush with Mr Knuttel, Barry Egan, Irish Independent, 2 November 2008, retrieved 23 February 2009
  5. ^ a b Mavericks - Graham Knuttel, outsider artist Archived 1 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Trevor White, Nicola Reddy, Katie Roche & Patrick Freyne, The Dubliner, 14 September 2007, retrieved 3 March 2009
  6. ^ a b Graham Knuttel biography Archived 12 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine, artbank.com, retrieved 3 March 2009
  7. ^ a b Graham Knuttel Archived 19 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Whalley gallery, retrieved 3 March 2009
  8. ^ Lally, Conor (17 February 2004). "Knuttel wins case against gallery owner". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  9. ^ O'Brien, Tim (30 May 2023). "Graham Knuttel, artist celebrated for unique style, dies aged 69". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Graham Knuttel, Irish figurative painter, sculptor and artist, Irish Art Encyclopedia, retrieved 23 February 2009
  11. ^ Minister Cullen launches Graham Knuttel designed Olympic Stamps Archived 14 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, The Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, 16 July 2008, retrieved 23 February 2009
  12. ^ Grennan, Dan (30 May 2023). "Tributes pour in for 'genius' artist Graham Knuttel who sadly passed away". Dublin Live. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
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