Ivan Stojan Rutar

IVAN STOJAN RUTAR, born May 4, 1944 in Gorizia(Italy), lived in Tolmin until 1966, when he moved to Koper where he has lived ever since. He has been attracted to painting since his early years but started following his artistic inclination only after his retirement. Painting has been the essence of his life since 1994. He is a member of the artistic group LIK from Izola which was first run by the sculptor Anton Flego and was later taken over by Teo Tavzelj. He also attended Tavzelj's Painting School Izola and joined the painting workshop run by the painter Andrej Trobentar in Piran. In 1996 he has become a member of the artistic club SOLINAR which has the backing of the artistic society Karol Pahor from Piran. He has had a number of one-man shows since 1995 and has also participated in numerous group exhibitions of which some had professional juries from which he received many commendations and awards.

ADDRESS: Ivan-Stojan Rutar

C. na Markovec 57, 6103 Koper, Slovenija

A PROFESSIONAL OPINION

by MIRKO JUTERŠEK, D. OF HISTORY OF ARTS:

Ivan Stojan Rutar has only been painting for a short time and taking this into account it must be admitted that the results of the most important activity in his life are quite surprising, not to say amazing. His present qualities obviously demand some future commitment in the sense of his further development as a painter. Being such a prolific author this aim will not be hard to achieve if it is to be believed that "every picture establishes him as a better creator". He will by all means have to avoid repeating himself in order to escape the averaged popularization so typical of the Slovenian amateur art which most often remains anonimous.

The painting world of I.S. Rutar comprises the generally appreciated motifs which allow for the expression of colours: still lifes, mostly with flowers, but also an attraction to landscapes. Being ambitious and disciplined when aiming at particular painting achievements, I.S.Rutar seems to easily accept all possible information, suggestions and his mentors' instructions. At his present point of development as a painter he does not seem to have any difficulties in clearly expressing his spatial abilities when creating certain mood of a still life depicting chosen objects or when conjuring up the delightful aromas of colourful bouquets. His landscaping is much more personal, not only because the motifs he chooses are sometimes quite unusual, often even historical (a pompous structure of public well made of stone, an old window or something similar), but also because of the symbolic content of the colours he uses when interpreting the appearance of a landscape. Strong reflection of tree tops against the harmonious colours of the sky, or softly suggesting the walls of a ruin in the middle of deserted salt-pan using a spatula are the elements which make some of his pictures special when compared to the rest of his numerously rich series of landscapes. It is from an unknown reason that very often excellent landscapers tend to replace their own individually developed orientation with a more generally usual, commercial and cheap interpretation of nature. Let us all hope that considering his very promising beginning he will not have to give up his so far particularly researching and creative approach.

A PROFESSIONAL OPINION

by IVANKA Z. CIZELJ

Like many other amateur painters, Ivan - Stojan Rutar was carrying his love for fine arts deep inside, since his childhood; but in the chaos and the demands of modern life, he never had enough time for it. After the retirement, his moment finally came.

His effort paid off with success: very soon he organized his first independent exhibitions or joined group exhibitions, and received some awards, which do not only prove his love for fine arts, but also his talent and ability to express himself through his paintings.

Despite everything he has achieved in such a short period of time, he is still very critical towards his productions. Only when he feels and sees he has expressed in his painting all his feelings, is he completely satisfied with it. That is why his paintings are so full of spirit and love for his native land, nature and ethnic tradition; endless joy is stirring with the new opportunities and with the symphony of human feelings. The scenery fascinates him and in this fascination with Karst, he is searching for the origins of his artistic expression.

He applies thin coats of paint and enriches them with thick ones, thus giving to his paintings plasticity and realistic effect. Simple still lifes with real subjects, scenery, carst, saltpans of Seča, old houses typical of the place, ruins, portals and many other ethnically historical items,... they all reflect the reality and have a clear and direct message: Keep the part of beauty, which is dying out.

Ivan - Stojan Rutar is an artist who is interested in the beauty of his native land and he tries to capture it and pour it onto the canvas. His paintings reflect actual subjects and reality, and rarely does the artist give way to his personal experience. The harmony of colours and images in his paintings shows an effective link with the time, place and the artist's creative spirit.