Evald Okas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Evald Okas (born November 28, 1915 in Tallinn, Estonia) is an Estonian painter, probably best known for his portraits of nudes.

[edit] Biography

Okas began his artistic career while studying at the State Art School in Tallinn, Estonia but with the advent of World War II and the Soviet invasion and occupation of Estonia was subsequently arrested by Soviet officials and deported to a prison camp in Jaroslavl, Russia. While imprisoned at the camp in Jaroslavl, Okas befriended the rather well-known Estonian painters Aino Bach and Rihard Sagrits who mentored Okas and helped him hone his skills as an artist. By Soviet regulations, however, all artists were expected to paint in the Social Realism genre.

After his prison sentence was completed, Okas was accepted to study at the Academy of Moscow. By the late 1950s, Evald Okas was working mainly in the medium of charcoals and earning his living by sketching ex libris - graphic designs that identify the author of a book, usually pasted onto the inside cover. Around this time Okas was even given permission to travel; first, within the Soviet Republics, then later worldwide and exhibit works as far afield as Asia and Western Europe.

Evald Okas lives in Tallinn and is an active member of the Estonian Artists’ Association, which annually gives the Konrad Mägi Award to Estonian artists whose art piece, series of pieces or exhibition has "enriched Estonian painting."