Artist Martina Shapiro

BIOGRAPHY

• born in Czech Republic
• resides in Vancouver, Canada
• art school in Czech Republic, then mainly self-taught
• Bachelor and Master's degrees (University of Manitoba and the University of British Columbia)
• juried member of the Federation of Canadian Artists
• Representation: Federation Gallery (1241 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC, V6H 4B7)

Blond Martini Lady

Art Deco Woman

Japanese Princess

Recent Exhibitions

• Federation Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver - February - March 2006
• Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver, Canada - February 2005
• Showroom Elena Miro, Milan, Italy - October 2004
• Gallery at the West Vancouver Memorial Library - group exhibition, April 3 to 31st, 2004
• Ayden Gallery, Vancouver - group exhibition, April 2004
• "Small, Smaller, Smallest" Juried Show (Dec. 9 – 23, 2003) Federation Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver
• "Building New Perspectives" Juried Show (June 19 - August 26, 2003),Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, B.C.
• "ArtsPacific" Juried Show (April 12 - May 10, 2003), Firehall Center for the Arts, North Delta, B.C.
• “Human Figure” Juried Show (March 4 – March 15, 2003), Federation Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver
• “Essence of the Sea” group exhibition (Jan 25 – Feb 13, 2003), Martin Bachelor Gallery, Victoria
• Holiday Season Juried Show (Dec. 10 – 24, 2002) Federation Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver
• “Essence of the Sea” group exhibition (October 21 – 25, 2002) Alma Mater Society Art Gallery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
• “Essence of the Sea” group exhibition (October 27 – November 29, 2002) Tidemark Theatre, Campbell River
• FANS Visual Arts Exhibition (Sept. 28, 2002), North Vancouver District Hall
• “Beaux Arts Exhibition” (March 7 – Apr. 11, 2001), Zack Gallery, JCC Vancouver

In the Collection of & Commissioned Work:

• 2004 Miroglio S.p.a. (Alba, Italy)
• 2004 Supreme Court of Canada (Ottawa, Canada)
• 2004 York University (Toronto, Canada)
• 2003 Shapiro Hankinson & Knutson (Vancouver, Canada)
• 2000 The Galt Collection (Vancouver, Canada)

Blond Blue Nude

Old World No. 4

Fauve Flowers

Artist Statement

My paintings are influenced mostly by Fauvism and Expressionism, but also by Art Deco, Pop-Art and the old masters. Through the use of expressive, vibrant color, abstraction and distortions, I seek to portray human emotions and passions in my still life, landscape and figure paintings. My favorite artists are Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Egon Schiele, Mark Rothko, Peter Max, Rubens and El Greco, among others.

I can be inspired by almost anything – the shape of a tree branch, the curve of a moving human body, a cloud, a melody or a story. I then carry this inspiration with me as I keep sketching and experimenting until I arrive at an image that is my artistic response to that inspiration. I then begin painting, but do not look at the sketch any more – as that is too limiting. Painting is like a dance, it has to flow effortlessly and naturally, and it does, provided I can lose myself and connect to the creative flow. When I do that, my hand paints as if by itself. I am merely an observer. It is only when I paint in this manner that creation happens - the painting acquires a soul - through me, not from me. This is why my original paintings radiate so much energy and life and inspiration.

To become sensitive as an artist or even to recognize and appreciate art takes time and effort, like any other endeavour. I believe that an artist transfers some of his/her life energy as well as some element of ‘universal energy’ into a painting and it is this that makes the original work of art so valuable. When you stand in front of a great original work of art, such as a Picasso, you can feel his energy vibrating from it – the painting is alive. The impact on the viewer is commensurate with his/her sensitivity to art.

I believe the reason we are interested in art is that our spirit longs to perceive and understand more than it currently does and it instinctually feels that original works of art not only radiate the artist's energy but also reflect some of what's hidden.

Contacting the Artist

Please e-mail Martina Shapiro
e-mail address: martisart"at"shaw.ca (Replace "at" with @)