James Coignard, Blue, 2000-10, Engraving

Engraving with carborandum & collages, ed. 6/30 + white frame James Coignard (1925-2008) was a well known French artist/printmaker recognised for his colourful, geometric abstractions and exceptional carborundum etchings. The artist's keen interest in mathematics is evident in all of his paintings and etchings. These elegant, rich, tactile prints are done on a heavy cotton fiber paper with a rough, organic and visible texture that has to be seen in person to fully appreciate. Coignard studied at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Nice and subsequently apprenticed with the painter Marchand des Raux. After developing a relationship with Galerie Hervieu in Nice in the 1950's Coignard began to gain some notoriety. In the early 60s he began to work with glass. In 1986, his friend Henri Goetz discovered a new engraving technique that used carborundum, and this marked an evolution in his technique. Distinguishing himself as a talented painter, sculptor and etcher, James eventually began to exhibit internationally. His artwork is now in numerous corporate and private collections, as well as over 20 museums including the Guggenheim in New York and the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris.