PHONE: 760.943.8706
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RAIMONDS STAPRANS
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an abstract still life and landscape painter
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Raimonds Staprans
(1926...)
Born: |
Riga, Latvia |
Studied: |
University of Washington
University of California, Berkeley
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Raimonds Staprans Biography
Raimonds Staprans was born in Riga, Latvia in 1926 and has been a Bay Area resident since the 1950s. Staprans is known internationally to curators
and collectors for his vivid, abstract views of nature and natural forms in his work. Raimonds Staprans work, which is often compared to that of
Wayne Thiebaud, David Park and Richard Diebenkorn, can be found in the collection of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and other local
and national institutions.
Raimonds Staprans and his family immigrated to America in 1947. Raimonds studied art at the University of Washington under Alexander Archipenko
and Mark Tobey then moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to begin graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He studied with Hans
Hofmann and Karl Kasten, among others, and graduated with a Masters of Fine Arts in 1954.
Staprans began working in the Bay Area in the 1950s...a time when other artists in that region were rediscovering figurative painting. With
Abstract Expressionism at the forefront of American painting, these artists, which included David Park, Richard Diebenkorn, Elmer Bischoff,
Wayne Thiebaud, James Weeks, and Roland Peterson, often referred to as the Bay Area Figurative artists, explored inventive new ways to depict
traditional subject matter, the figure, landscape, and still life. |
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Although Staprans work has similarities to that of the "Bay Area Figarative" guild, Raimonds Staprans created his own distinctive niche
within this movement through his pared down compositions and his rich, saturated palette. Staprans rarely paints the human figure, choosing
instead to skillfully construct still life and landscape subjects that are notable for his sensitive response to light and color. Staprans
is said to examine the "architecture" of everyday objects in his art using explosive color and flattened compositions, creating a "tension
between representation and abstraction that plays with viewers expectations.".
Raimonds Staprans is also an accomplished playwright. Most of his plays are set in Latvia during the 20th century. His play "The Freezing" was produced
in 1979 by the San Francisco Little Theater and the Latvian National Theater in 1980. His 1989 play, "Four Days in June", depicted the Soviet occupation
of Latvia in 1940. It was performed in Riga to more than 100 sold-out audiences, and later won first prize in the Baltic Theatre Festival. "Four Days in June"
is regarded as having played an integral part in the pro-democracy movement in Latvia during the momentous changes following the end of the Soviet Union.
Raimonds Staprans biographical references include: askart, wikipedia, and other articles.
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RaimondsStaprans.com is interested in purchasing all oil paintings and watercolors by Raimonds Staprans. If you have a painting by
Raimonds Staprans and are interested in selling it or simply wish to obtain an estimated value, please get in
touch and we'll provide a free art evaluation.
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email: info@raimondsstaprans.com |
phone: 760-943-8706 |
send printed photos to: RaimondsStaprans.com 2240 Encinitas Blvd. #302, Encinitas, California 92024
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CalART.com |
camla.org |
pccaonline.org |
californiaheritagemuseum.org |
c-c-c.org |
lacma.org
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