Raffaele
Tarpani is
born in
Perugia in 1949.
He
studied and lives in Umbria. In
1966 he got his graduation at the
“Istituto
d’Arte Bernardino Betto”(Bernardino Betto’s Art Institute)
of
Perugia, and is qualified for teaching.In 1962, he began his artistic
activity taking part in several
regional and national exhibitions, rewarding numerous prizes and recognitions as
a real star turn of the Contemporary Art. In autumn 1968, his first personal
exhibition took place in Perugia, with public and critics appreciation. One year
later, an other personal exhibition in Spoleto during the XIIth “Festival des
deux Mondes” (Festival of the two Worlds). In 1971,exposing at the
“Barbarous Gallery” in Milan, he was considered one of the best and
worthwhile one between the promising Italian painters. In 1972, in Perugia again
another personal exhibition; he is invited to become member of cultural
institution as the “Accademia dei Cinquecento” (Academy of the Five hundred)
and “Accademia Tiberina” (Tiberian Academy). After a phase of research and
over thinking on his expressive ways, he accepts the invitation to participate
at a collective exhibition at the “Salon des Nations” (Hall of Nations) in
Paris (1982).One year later, he is invited in Mugnano, where he realized an
appreciated wall-painting; at the same time, a personal exhibition.In 1985, he
repainted inside of the church of Trebbio di Pila, a “Madonna with Child and
Angels”. In this period, he tests other expressive forms of art, prefering old
wood supports as raw material for colours and new eloquent pictures, giving a
proof of bright new and exhaustive creative style. Subsequently, his research
always on an experimental scale, leaving unformal
lessons following the Italian tendency, he moves to extol materials such
as iuta and paper to reach to the melting of plastic material. After a selection
at national level, he is chosen between 20 artists taking part at the VIIth
“Pittori in Ribalta”(painters in Limelight) in Nardò, to have the honour to
wear the title of “Maestro del Pennello” (Master of the Paintbrush). One
year later, he went back to the “Week of Colours” in Marina di Ravenna,
taking part at six competitions, he won four of them, amongst which the
“Tavolozza d’Oro”(Golden Palette).In 1991 at the XXVIIth “Agosto
Corcianese”(Corcianese August) he plans and realizes a performance in favour
of UNICEF. The same year, he was invited again to Mugnano, to organize an
official exhibition “In…contriamoci”(Let us meet…) inheriting the
witness of well known famous painters. He also executed a wall-paiting in
Bagnaia, under a bow in front of the local church.
In 1992, he organized various exhibitions and three personal ones, first
in Santa Maria degli Angeli (Holy Maria of the Angels), later in Talla (Arezzo),
where he was invited by the Pro-Loco to a personal exhibition in the Primary
School. In december of the same year, he was present at a collective one, as
organizer also, in the rooms of Santa Croce (Holy Cross) in Bastia Umbra under
the patronage of the local Art Councillorship. In 1993,the artist’s expressive
search is specified, rediscovering those themes which has always charmed him
such as landscape, abbandoning so, abstract ones. In September, during the
Festival of San Sisto (PG)he executed a pannel for auction sale of which the
proceeds went in favour of the “Daniel Chianelli’s Committee for the
Life”. At the end of the same year, he prepared a new personal exhibition at
“Insula Romana” in Bastia Umbra, followed by more ones in 1994, 1995 and
1996, proponing bright new works, confirming his technical ability in painting
Umbrian landscapes, naked feminine figures and making experiments on ceramics.
In the first nineteen’s, still busy with the technique of frescoes, he
realized a wall-painting in the “Mikiflowers” shop in Bastia Umbra, an other
one on wood in Mugnano (Pro-Loco) in memory of a dear colleague, he also
decorated a wall in a private house in Pila and hold two personal exhibitions in
Mugnano.In 1995 he execute the banner for the Holiday of San Michele Arcangelo
(Saint Michael Arcangel) Saint Patron of Bastia Umbra; excluding an easy
pictural narration, he characterize himself with virtuisity in composing
masterly colour contrasts pointing out religious meanings.Various are the works
realized for charity auction sales, in Foligno, Bastia Umbra, Santa Maria degli
Angeli, Perugia, and so on … In
1997 in the rooms of Santa Croce (Holy Cross) in Bastia Umbra, introduced by the
art critic Massimo Duranti, he published a monograph including his main artistic
activities from 1968 to 1997. Forty
painting which illustrate the way followed by the artist in merely forty years
of activity. In 1997, Tarpani realizes a personal exhibition in Valtopina
(Umbria) at the seat of the local Pro loco, he also took part and won
at the competition of trevi with a painting representing the “Palio of the Terzieri”.
In 1998, he realizes two personal exhibitions respectively in Assisi,
Hall of Via del Corso and in Bastia Umbra at the “Expo Regalo” an
International exhibition of gift’s
articles. In 2000, he realizes
three personal exhibitions : in Assisi at the “Locanda degli Artisti”, at
Palazzo di Assisi in the hall of the Castle and in Bastia Umbra in occasion of
the “Expo Regalo 2000”. Since
1991, Raffaele Tarpani owns in Bastia Umbra a studio of Art where he lives and
works cooperating actively with the “Assessorato alla Cultura”(Art
Councillorship) of Bastia Umbra;he also teaches painting in various places
amongst others at the “University for the third Age” and coordinates the
group of “Artists of Bastia Umbra”.
INDIETRO