Stephen Spartana
Contact Information
Phone: (410) 458-5663
Studio
6706 Selkirk Rd. Baltimore, MD 21239 Studio: 19 South Stricker St. Baltimore, MD 21223
Shop Stephen Spartana on:
Life in Layers ’18
Interwoven Series‘17
Human-Nature Intertwined Series‘18
Human-Nature Series ‘94
Archived Works
Artist's Biography
Stephen Spartana is an American photographic artist, who has enjoyed a 35 year career as a commercial photographer. His artwork researches different perspectives of the natural world, venturing at times to create images that are more fantasy then reality.
Born in 1954, art became important to Stephen at an early age with his interest in photography. He graduated in 1983 from the BFA Program in Photography at the Maryland Institute College of Art which introduced him to the work and philosophies of influential artists: Irving Penn’s quality of light; Cartier-Bresson’s composition, use of space, and "the decisive moment”; Pete Turner, who felt that the transparency was not the end product, but just the beginning; and lastly Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings of flowers and nature were a revelation, inspiring him to look closer at the hidden beauty of the natural world.
With Turner’s philosophy in mind, the chromes from Stephen’s early fine art show
in the 1990’s, became the starting point for his current studies. The interplay
of black & white figures overlaid with details of flowers created a blend of form and color. His intention both then and now, is to create a provocative image, a complex and dynamic blend that entices the viewer to look deeper. His current studies expand the use of natural elements to include landscapes during times of growth and decay. Prior use of mirrors has been replaced by the reflective surface of water, and patterns of leaves or sedimentary rocks naturally suggest intricate tattoos. His most recent series has used fall colors and rushing water as central themes. Stephen’s research utilizes a number of images which function in the same way that painters use brushes and paint palettes; his tools are a combination of various analog films mixed with digital media.
Stephen’s artwork is an extension of views of nature, humanity and our relationship to Earth. He believes strongly in a positive approach to life and our world, with the understanding that we, as stewards, have the responsibility of providing a better place for the next generation to thrive. He chooses to focus on the hidden beauty that surrounds us, encouraging the viewer to preserve our beautiful and fragile planet and “discover what time hides forever in plain sight”. *
*Richard Powers, The Overstory
Selected Exhibitions
Solo
2020
Upcoming, February-March
Balance the Salon, Baltimore, MD
Upcoming, March-April
Raw Ink Gallery, Gaithersburg, MD
Group
2020
Founders Show, InSquare Art, Baltimore, MD
January
Upcoming, May-October
Time, Space Exhibition, Venice, Italy
2019
Contrive, National Juried Show, d'Art Center, Norfolk, VA
September 19 - October 8
Water's Edge, InSquare Gallery, Baltimore, MD
August 11 - September 8
The Big Show, Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD
June 22
InSquare Art Premier Show, InSquare Gallery, Baltimore, MD
May 5 - June 5
Marquee Ball, Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD
April 27
Intertwined, The American Center for Physics at College Park
April 13 - October 25
New Now II, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
January 2 - 19
HumanNature Life in Layers, Amalie Rothschild Gallery, Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD
January 4 - 17
2018
Asia in Maryland: Expressing Cross-Culture Experience, Asian Arts Gallery, Center for the Arts, Towson, MD
Juried Exhibition
September 7 - December 8
The Big Show, Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD
June 16 - August 4
Creative Alliance Silent Auction, Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD
"Rooted" Sold
April 17 - 28
2017
"Inter-Twined" Series, Himmelfarb Gallery, Laurel, MD
July 1 - September 30
"Interwoven" SeriesLaughing Pint, Baltimore, MD
May
2002
Travel Imagery, Fair Haven, Sykesville, MD
1994
Human-Nature, Gomez Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1992
Aerial Imagery, Nye-Gomez Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Professional Experience
1983 - present
Owner, Photographer/Videographer, Spartana Art
- Professional commercial photographer/videographer for the past 34 years. Location and studio assignments for advertising, marketing & PR, and editorial imagery for various clients including: healthcare, educational institutions, non-profits, corporations, retailers, and public agencies.
Awards and Honors
2019
Tokyo International Foto Awards
1st Place, Fine Art, for "Life in Layers"
Tokyo International Foto Awards
Gold Medal Award, Abstract Fine Art for "Life in Layers"
Budapest International Awards
Honorable Mention for "Intertwined" Series
Contrive, National Juried Show, d'Art Center, Norfolk, VA
2nd Place
Prix de la Photographie de PAris
Honorable Mention, Abstract Art
Moscow International Foto Awards
Honorable Mention, Abstract Art, for "Intertwined" Series
Siena International Photo Awards
Finalist
2018
Umbra International Photography Awards
Finalist
12th Annual Color Awards
Nomination, Nude category, for "Water Balance"
Moscow International Foto Awards
Bronze Award, Abstract Fine Art, for series "Interwoven"
2017
Tokyo International Foto Awards Digital series
Honorable Mention, for series "Interwoven"
6th China International, Digital Photography Art Exhibition
Honorable Mention, for series "Interwoven"
Multiple CASE awards for publications and web site photography
Education
1983
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
BFA, Photography
1979
Visual Arts Institute
Certificate: Photography, Layout, Offset Printing
Recent Artist Member Mentions on InLiquid
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Photography & Digital Darkroom by Stephen Spartana
Join Gallery at Raw Ink for the opening reception of Stephen Spartana’s show on March 7th from 7 pm – … See Full Post
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Stephen Spartana at Raw Ink Gallery
Stephen Spartana has a solo show at the Gallery at Raw Ink from March 7th thru April 30th. Join Stephen and Raw Ink on March 7th for an opening reception from 7 pm – 1 am!
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Founders Show
Insquare Art’s next show, the “Founders Show 2020” will feature the beautiful paintings of Shaul Tsemach and the vibrant photography … See Full Post
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Intertwined
In this exhibition, Travis Childers, John Grunwell, and Stephen Spartana explore the concept of interconnectivity and the unifying principle of … See Full Post
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HumanNature, Life in Layers – Talk w/ Stephen Spartana
In conjunction with Spartana’s solo photo exhibit: HumanNature, Life in Layers