FRANK RAMPOLLA
Promo photo of my father for the exhibition, The Seven Deadly Sins at the Ringling Museum, Sarasota, 1965.
My father past away June 25, 1971, so I thought it apropos to write about him for this month.
He was a painter, draftsman and sculptor of the highest caliber. He was to many art students, their ”favorite teacher” and a friend. In addition, he was a father, husband as well as a classical pianist and composer.
His artwork is in the permanent collections of major museums across the country, including The National gallery of Art and The Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Some people are finding my fathers work through my work. It is as if a whole new audience is seeing his work for the first time. Both of our bodies of work address the human condition.
Installation Photo, Leepa Rattner Museum, 2013 Exhibition—Rembering Frank Rampolla
He studied at Copper Union in NY and then Boston University. He taught at the Ringling School of Art from 1960 to 1968 and at the University of South Florida from 1968 to1971.
My father died when I was eleven years old so I did not have the opportunity to have a serious discussion about the philosophy of art and its role in the human experience.
He taught me about composition and light, how to linocut and sculpt wax and how to use a camera. He spent many hours teaching me about light and composition.
1967, My father and I --Drawing Baloo from the Jungle Book for me
Photo by Dr. Wynne Stiensnyder
His work inspires me because it is of immense quality, powerful, bold, intense, authentic and not seeking approval from anyone.
A former director of the High Museum in Atlanta said of my father’s work, “… his work is like a four letter word in a quiet conversation.”
As far as his technique goes, he studied from the masters and his work shows it.
The late Dr. William McCracken in describing my father’s work, “…Paint is applied in a knowing way, human forms are deftly presented in ways which reveal intimate knowledge of their structure and vital content and, finally, an imagery emerges which speaks of central issues of the human condition….”
Invidia (Envy) 1965
From the 1965 show at Ringling Museum exhibition The Seven Deadly Sins. Oil on Canvas
63” x 73”
