About the artist
Emiel François Poetou (Ghent, 1885-1975 Drongen), sculptor.
Emiel Poetou grew up in Ghent, he attended evening school (drawing and modelling), then he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent and Brussels. He was a pupil of Jean Delvin, Jules and Louis van Biesbroeck in Ghent and in Brussels with Charles Van der Stappen and Victor Rouseau. His fellow students were Leon Sarteel, Geo Verbanck and Domien Ingels.
In 1912 he received the quadrennial prize for sculpture.
In 1927 he decided to devote himself completely to his art and was influenced by the Avant-Gardist movements in the line of Zadkine, Archipenko and Brancusi.
In the 1920s he made expressionist nudes, madonnas and heads. From 1922 his work became more monumental. In the 1930s he also made various portrait heads in his own characteristic way.
After the 1930s his work became more and more abstract, in the 1950s his works showed a kinship with Jean Arp and Henry Moore. His nudes took on round shapes and winding lines, his choice of materials also changed, he sprayed various works with car paint, but also used polyester for his shapes. Halfway through the years he also started making animal sculptures and plaster reliefs of flowers and leaves. Totally different work, by the way.
After his 85th birthday he started to work constructively again and also still had exhibitions. He was someone who was constantly looking for a different, innovative design language and innovative techniques.
Emiel Poetou has also designed weapons and medals, the coat of arms of the Ghent University is his hand.
