Jim Couper: There Are No Other Everglades in the World

This exhibition features a new series of paintings by Jim Couper, professor emeritus in the Department of Art and Art History at FIU and founding director of the Art Museum at FIU.  His paintings do not have people or even traces of people in them, just untouched nature in its purest form. According to Couper, “It’s the experience of the wild landscape, not a picture of it that interests me.” The Florida Everglades are the artist’s favorite place to paint; unfortunately, he has witnessed the Everglades decline over the years.

He stated, “I never feel as inspired as when I am in nature- as far away as possible from any traces of human intervention. My work is a humble acknowledgement of the wonder that is being taken from us.”  He made this choice because of concerns for the preservation of what remains of the Everglades. This concern is the conceptual basis for making this body of work, and the Everglades provides an endless source of visual and spiritual inspiration.

In collaboration with the Department of Art + Art History FIU.