Walter Koch

Walter de Melo Koch is a prolific artist whose work captures the essence and spirit of Africa. Born in Mozambique to a German/Portuguese father and a Portuguese mother, Walter's childhood was immersed in the local culture and customs, which inspired his artistic journey. He was privately educated by a tutor, Dona Natália Rosário, in his hometown of Lourenço Marques, and attended drawing classes at the Núcleo de Arte under António Quadros while on holiday. Studying art under Cecil Skotnes and Graphic Fine Art under Gunther van der Reis at the Pretoria Art School, Walter honed his skills and developed his unique style. His art is characterised by an evocative use of colour and form to capture a sense of depth and movement. Walter draws inspiration from the rural carvings of animals that he encountered during his childhood in Mozambique, seeking to capture their essence and spirit in his animal paintings. Now residing in the UK, Walter's art continues to be recognised, earning him a Highly Commended award from the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists in 2012. His work has made a significant contribution to portraying the beauty and soul of African art, capturing the attention of audiences worldwide.

Walter de Melo Koch was born in Lourenço Marques (now Maputo) in Mozambique to a German/Portuguese father and a Portuguese mother.

1955 – 1963 Privately educated in his home town by tutor Dona Natália Rosário.

1961 – His father passed away.

1963 – 1965 Went to a boarding school is South Africa and while on holiday at home in Lourenço Marques attended drawing classes at the Núcleo de Arte under António Quadros.

1969 Matriculated from Damlin College. Studied art under Cecil Skotnes. Forged a lifetime friendship with Carl Jeppe.

1971 – 1973 Studied Graphic Fine Art under Gunther van der Reis at the Pretoria Art School. UK equivalent BTEC Higher National Diploma /NVQ Level 4


1970/73 Diploma in Print Making – Pretoria Art School, South Africa. (UK equivalent BTEC Higher National Diploma /NVQ Level 4)

2019

NOVEMBER 7th to 10th - WOOLWICH CONTEMPORARY PRINT FAIR

Former cartridge factory at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. LONDON

AUGUST 30th to SEPTEMBER 12th - UNFOLD

The Lighthouse, Woking

2018

APRIL 7th to APRIL 21st - HATCH & SPROUT

Fillingdon Fine Art Gallery, Fillingdon Farm, Piddington, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 3BL, UK



2017

JUNE 1st to 3rd – UNFOLD REFLECT – The Hub, Chertsey, UK

JULY 17th to 29th – SANDED AND SALTED – Summer Show – Fillingdon Fine Art Gallery, Fillingdon Farm, Piddington, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 3BL, UK

OCTOBER – THE STUDIO GALLERY – Warren Row, UK

NOVEMBER 18th to DECEMBER 2nd – IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS – Winter Show – Fillingdon Fine Art Gallery, Fillingdon Farm, Piddington, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 3BL, UK



2016

JUNE 4th to 6th – UNFOLD RECYCLED – The Hub, Chertsey, UK

OCTOBER 22nd – THE STUDIO GALLERY OPENING – Warren Row, UK



2015

MAY 2nd to 25th – COVER TO COVER – West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, UK

MAY 2nd to 25th – INSIGHT – The Open Studios Scheme, Newbury, UK

MAY 26th to 30th – UNFOLD – The Hub, Chertsey, UK

JUNE 6th to 13th – SCRUFFY SOUL – Bucks Open Studios, Windsor, UK

SEPTEMBER 26th to OCTOBER 3rd – Windsor Fringe, Windsor, UK

OCTOBER 15th to 18th – THE OTHER ...