Joan Hutt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joan Hutt
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Joan Hutt, c. 1950
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| Born | 16 September 1913 Aspenden, Hertfordshire, England
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| Died | 19 January 1985 (aged 71) |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Camberwell College of Arts, Clapham School of Art |
| Known for | Painting |
| Movement | Expressionism |
Joan Hutt (1913–1985) was a talented British artist. She spent most of her life painting in North Wales, finding lots of inspiration there.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Joan Hutt was born on September 16, 1913, in Aspenden, Hertfordshire, England. Her father, John Hutt, was working in Malta at the time. However, he sent Joan's mother back to England so Joan could be born there. Soon after, Joan and her mother returned to Malta. When World War I started, the whole family moved back to the UK.
Joan's family, the Hutts, had a long history. They were originally French Huguenots. Some of her ancestors were well-known figures in British history.
Becoming an Artist
Joan Hutt was taught at home for a while. Later, she went to Sutton High School (London). She was very good at drawing there. After school, she studied art at the Camberwell College of Art. She also attended the Clapham School of Art.
In her younger years, Joan painted in Paris. She then spent two years living and painting in Frankfurt, Germany.
Working at the Bank of England
Joan returned to Britain in the 1930s. She got a job at the Bank of England. Even while working, she kept painting. From 1935, she often showed her artwork at the Bank of England Arts Society.
People quickly noticed her talent. At her first exhibition, when she was only 19, her painting "Trees" was called "sensational." In 1936, she won first prize for her oil painting "Still Life." It was praised for its strong shapes and colors. In 1938, she won another first prize for "Girl in a Chair." Her painting "Winter Landscape" was also described as "extraordinary."
While working at the Bank of England, Joan met Leslie Bonnet. He was the editor of the Bank's magazine. They got married in 1943.
Life in Wales
In 1949, Joan and her family moved from Hertfordshire to North Wales. They settled in a large old house called Ymwlch Fawr, near Criccieth. Joan loved the beautiful Welsh landscapes. They became a big source of ideas for her paintings. She also raised five children: Lesley, Villette, Alice, Caroline, and Tom.
From 1963, when her children were older, Joan spent all her time on art. She taught painting, especially landscape art. In 1965, she started the Criccieth W.E.A. Art class. She also helped create the Porthmadog Art Club. Joan was part of a group of artists called the "North Wales Group." This group included famous artists like Sir Kyffin Williams.
Every Thursday, other local artists would visit Joan's studio. They would paint together and talk about art. Joan often painted her family members. Her oldest daughter, Lesley, was a frequent subject in her portraits.
Art Exhibitions
Joan Hutt showed her paintings often. She had exhibitions in North Wales, across the UK, and even in France and Germany. Here are some places where her art was shown:
- Bank of England Art Exhibition, London (1935-1968)
- Y Gegin, Criccieth (1965, 1966)
- Galerie Villette, Criccieth (1969-1973)
- Paris Salon, Paris (1964-1973)
- Royal Institute of Oil Painters Exhibition, London (1968)
- United Society of Artists Exhibition, London (1968, 1969)
- National Society's Exhibition, London (1968-1973)
- Browns Gallery, Chester (1970)
- Public Art Gallery, Sunderland (1970)
- Galerie Vallombreuses, Biarritz (1970)
- Oxford Playhouse, Oxford (1972)
- Galerie Dresdner Bank, Frankfurt (1973)
- Woodstock Gallery, London (1974)
- Bad Nauheimer Kurtheater, Germany (1975)
- Societe des Artistes Francais, Paris (1976)
What People Said About Her Art
Many people reviewed Joan Hutt's exhibitions. Here are some of their comments:
- "Her painting is by a lively artist who freely shows her deepest feelings."
- "She uses oil paints, and her paintings show a joyful feeling. They also show the basic shapes of nature."
- "The Welsh scenery has certainly given Mrs. Hutt a lot of ideas."
- "Joan Hutt's exhibitions in Britain and Europe have helped show off the amazing art made by artists in Wales."
Joan's Ideas About Painting
Joan Hutt continued to paint even after she lost her eyesight in her late 60s. She once shared her thoughts on painting: "As long as I can remember, I've been drawing or painting. I always wanted to paint to show my joy in shapes and colors. I especially love painting people's faces. I want to show their personalities on canvas. I see myself as an expressionist. I paint what I feel strongly about. I believe paintings should be timeless, personal, and original statements from the artists. I don't believe in following trends or theories. I just want to be myself."
Remembering Joan Hutt
Joan Hutt passed away on January 19, 1985, at the age of 72. She is buried with her husband in Criccieth Cemetery. There is a special bench in her honor on Garth Pier in Bangor.
