Uldis ZEMZARIS
1928, Latvia

Uldis Zemzaris was born in Melluzi, Latvia, a summer holiday hotspot and popular fishing village, which undoubtedly left a definite mark on the artist’s work. Zemzaris’ paintings demonstrate a preoccupation with the subject of fishermen-- their life, work and love for the sea. In 1955, Zemzaris graduated from the Latvian State Academy of Art in Riga. During the early years of his career as a painter, he studied the Belgian art collection in the Museum of Fine Arts in Riga, as well as the French Impressionists and Post Impressionists at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. In his long career, Uldis has illustrated books, painted murals for public buildings and worked as a stage designer in Riga’s Dallies Theatre for two consecutive years; all of this while drawing people and painting landscapes. In the 1970s, inspired by the patriarch of the 1960’s Moscow underground community Ullo Sooster, Uldis produced an exceptional series of surrealist paintings. In the recent years, he has been focusing on landscape painting, which has become his true pride and accomplishment. Uldis has participated in international shows that have included his 1982 solo exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

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Uldis Zemzaris is a member of Latvian Artists Union since 1957. and member of Literateur Union since 1971.
He ended the Secondary school of Art at 1953 and Latvian Art Academy, department of painting (1955.) with graduating painting „The poet Rainis at the Jurmala” (by guidance of E. Kalnins).
Together with Leo Kokle he was a initiator of organization Young Latvian Artist’s Union in 1957.
At his creative work dominated principle of realistically art. He painted portraits what is very expressive and typical psychological deep. He also made portraits with coal, ink and mixed media. At the background very often is sea and country landscape.
After acquaintance with abstract art at the International Youth and student festival in Moscow (1957.), he episodically made also works at abstract style.
U. Zemzaris illustrated also the books and cooperated with director P. Petersons made decorations to spectacle at the Dailes Theater.
He is graduated than lifelong scholarship holder from Cultural foundation of Latvia (1999.)
About he is made a documental film „ The man into rainbow” (director A. Freimanis, 1962.)

Source: http://russianamericanculture.com http://www.antonia.lv/index.php?lng=en