Introduction.
Stephen Namara is a contemporary artist, currently living and working in San Francisco, California. He arrived in San Francisco during the latter half of the 1970s as a student at the San Francisco Art Institute, and stayed. The portrait, the still-life and the realization of specific spaces have been enduring concerns throughout his career. Although his subjects are intrinsically recognisable, they are also chosen for their abstract qualities. A minimalist approach, pure lines and a richness in color makes his works immensely contemplative. Carefully chosen and presented in a setting devoid of clutter, they are given breathing space. They vibrate with stillness, evoking a sensation of peace and serenity. Inviting a narrative and an attachment between viewer and painting.
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In his most recent exhibition of portrait paintings and drawings, he has revisited the self-portrait as a primary theme, not only to evoke a narrative within the viewer's imagination but also as a means of exploring significant social and political issues utilizing the expressive power of painting and drawing. He is also using dry pigments to create non-figurative drawings, each a unique composition with a strong minimalist focus on form and color.
"I believe my artwork is best appreciated through visual observation rather than any written or verbal description." Stephen Namara.