WHEN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE MEETS IMMOVABLE OBJECT

I grew up in the country. My parents had a small farm allocated to them after World War I, and raised five children. They constructed a glass-enclosed veranda in which my mother tended an impressive cactus collection. An enormous orchard with young apple trees and berry bushes stretched along the north side of the house while decorative bushes and a flower garden with a tall, white flag pole in the center graced the south side. Every Saturday during the summer, it was my brother’s and my responsibility to root out the weeds from the gravel paths, mow the lawn, and several times during the season to whitewash the decorative stones bordering the flower beds. But on Sunday mornings, when the whole family was seated at the breakfast table in the veranda, we reveled in the magnificence of nature.

In the summer of 1948 a group of teenagers congregated for entrance exams to the Janis Rozentāls Art School. The competition was stiff, with four or five applicants competing for one opening. In a couple of hours we were required to paint a still-life in watercolors, draw a few simple objects, and, what was most important, paint a composition on a theme of our own choosing. I had no idea what that was or what it meant. A lump of nervousness constricted my throat. When the ordeal was over, I scored 3 points and was admitted to this temple of art but without a scholarship.

Indulis Ojars Ranka

Born on 15 April 1934, in Jaungulbene, Latvia

Died on 13 April 2017, in Riga, Latvia

Studio – 9 Amulas Street, Riga LV-1002, Latvia

Education

Study travels Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republik, Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Canada, Norway, Japan.
1953-59 Academy of Fine Arts in Riga, Latvia. Specialized in oil painting and academic drawing.
1948-53 Janis Rozentals School of Fine Arts in Riga, Latvia.

Creative Work

From 1966 Works as sculptor, mainly in granite.
From 1962 Member of Latvia Art Union.
From 1952 Takes part in exhibitions with paintings and graphics.

Founded Open Air Sculpture Gardens

From 1987 Andersson family’s sculpture Garden-Gallery in Stavanger, Norway.
From 1985 Sculpture Park “Dainu Kalns” in Turaida Museum, Latvia.
From 1975 Sculpture Garden – Gallery “Ulamula”, next to artist’s studio in Riga, Latvia.

Memorials and Memory Sculptures

2002- Memorial for Latvian freedom fighters in Riga, Latvia.
1999- Memorial for Latvian freedom fighters in Gulbene, Latvia.
1990- Memorial for Latvian freedom fighters in Smiltene, Latvia.
1987- Sculpture diptych “Youth” in Kobe, Japan.
1979- Memorial for the Second World War victims in Sigulda, Latvia.
1974- Sculpture “Greetings to Moldavia” in Chisinau, Moldova.
1972- Memorial for the Second World War victims in Indra, Latvia.

Symposiums

Organised and took part in:

1995-2001 Granite sculpture Symposium “5+1” Norway-Latvia in Riga, Latvia.
2000 -I.R. sadarbībā ar Tuve Mugaas Traavik “Where?”.
1999 -I.R. in collaboration with Kirsti Grotmol “Memory”.
1998 -I.R. in collaboration with Harald Bodogaard “Alveola”.
1997 -I.R. in collaboration with Tuve Mugaas Traavik “Band” and
1997 -I.R. in collaboration with Ulrik Hellum “Troll”.
1996 -I.R. in collaboration withr Knut Steen “Aurora”.
1995 -I.R. in collaboration with Ulrik Hellum “Sun Rays”.
1988- 1st International Granite Symposium in Riga, Latvia – “Lāčplēsis.”.
1985- 1st Riga’s Granite Symposium in Riga, Latvia – “Es karā aiziedams…”.
1977- 1st Granite Symposium in Malpils, Latvia – “Bubble”.

Took part in:

2007- International Granite Symposium in Ventspils, Latvia.
1999- International Concrete Symposium “Park 800” in Riga, Latvia.
1995- International Stone Symposium in Nanao, Japan “Dream”.
1987- and 1994- International Labrador Symposium in Larvik, Norway.

Awards and Honorary Titles

1998- Rainis Prize and Medal from Latvian Academy of Science.
1998- Officer of the Order of the St. Olav, 4th Class, Kingdom of Norway.
1994- Officer of the Three Stars, 4th Class, Latvia.
1992- Honorary Member of Latvian Academy of Science.
1989- Title the Honorary Artist of Latvia.
1986- The USSR Order “Mark of Honor”.
1986- The Best creative work of the year – Prize and Medal from Latvian Artist Union.
1984- Prize from the Latvian Culture Department.
1980- Prize and Medal – The Baltic States sculpture quadrennial exhibition.
1974- Kishinev city comity prize “For active participation in city development”, Moldova.