Paul's Biography

Paul Ygartua, N.D.D., is an excellent artist and designer, but most of all this international artist is an original creator producing remarkable work. Ygartua was born in a town near Liverpool, England; his father Basque from Northern Spain and his mother British. He studied at the famous Liverpool Art College with John Lennon in the early 60's and listened to the Beatles at the Cavern every lunch hour. He has a degree in Industrial Design and is a qualified gold and silversmith. During the 80's his interpretations of the peoples of the world were a rewarding success as evidenced by his North American Native Heritage Series and his monumental murals Native Heritage, Chemainus, BC and the United Nations Pavilion at Expo'86 in Vancouver, Canada. These murals have received international acclaim. In his paintings he seeks to interpret the fundamental values of the nomadic peoples of the world and also in his more intimate work to illustrate the workings of the mind and soul. During his travels abroad he is accompanied by his family and together they have travelled to the far corners of the earth from Copacabana to Jerusalem and from Hawaii to Europe. They share with him the beauties of the countries visited and especially the people who live there. Since the 90's Paul has worked on many important projects including two large murals - Salute to the Legends of the 20th Century, Vancouver, Canada (300'x30') and United by Our Children, Ely, Nevada, USA (30'x110'). His work is now moving towards a new direction - ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM - vibrant and passionate, colourful and bold, and this is particularly captured in his new Jazz studies where he portrays the unforgettable Jazz Musicians of the past and present. His paintings are in public and private collections worldwide and are treasured for their intrinsic and real value.

    SPECIAL EXHIBITS

  • ONE-MAN and Group Exhibitions include Canada, USA, Mexico and Europe. Paul participates in one or two major shows per year
  • SPECIAL ONE-MAN Exhibitions, Vancouver, BC (International suite, Westin)
  • Chief Dan George Show - Featuring and Hosting Chief Dan George
  • The Domed City, Jerusalem
  • Carnival, Rio de Janeiro
  • The Basques, N. Spain
  • A Year of Celebration, Venice and Seville
  • NATO Headquarters, Belgium
  • Art Expo, NewYork, Javits Convention Centre
  • Art Expo, Los Angeles, L.A. Convention Centre
  • Montserrat Gallery, Soho, New York
  • Salon D'Autonme - Grand Palais, Paris, France
  • Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
  • International Friendship Art Exhibition
  • On-going Exhibition - Jazz only - Capones Jazz Club, Yaletown, Vancouver, BC

    VANCOUVER, BC - CORPORATE CLIENTS include

  • MacMillan Bloedel Ltd.
  • Sovereign General Insurance Co.
  • Gulf Corp.
  • Bank J.Vontobel & Co.
  • Lang Mining
  • The Credit Union Bank of BC
  • BC Gas
  • Laxton & Co.
  • CM Oliver
  • Evergeen Express
  • Canadian Airlines
  • Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  • Consul General of Spain
  • Consul General of Indonesia
  • Beachcomber Hot Tub and Spas

    DISTINCTIONS

  • 1978 Honorary Citizen of New Orleans (Awarded by the City of New Orleans)
  • 1978 City of Vancouver, BC, Canada presents their twin city Yokohama, Japan with a painting by Ygartua - "Haida Masks"
  • 1979 Awarded member of the Canadian Federation of Artists
  • 1984 World Premiere - Film - "Chemainus Murals" presenting Paul's Native Heritage
  • 1986 Limited Edition - "A World United" officially presented to Secretary General of UN - Javier Perez de Cuellar
  • 1987 Chemainus Festival of Mural Society present Ygartua's Mural in Mural, Expo'86
  • 1987 Artist of the Year - Awarded by University of BC. Canada
  • 1989 Consulate of Spain present Princess "Infanta Cristina" Spain's Royal Family with lithograph "A World United"
  • 1992 The Nomadic Artist - Profile on Ygartua - Basque TV, Bilbao, Spain
  • 1995 31st Grand Prix de la C˜te D'Azur, France "Honourable Mention"

    SPECIAL PROJECTS

  • 1983 Native Haritage Mural (25'x50') commissioned by Chemainus Mural Society, BC, Canada
  • 1986 A World United Mural (100'x30') commissioned by UN Pavilion, Expo'86
  • 1988 Fort Nelson Native project - Mural and Limited Edition
  • 1990 Canadian Airlines "Pacific Family" Mural and Magazine Cover
  • 1991 Experience Canada Mural and Limited Edition
  • 1993 MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. - Family Heritage - Mural and Magazine Cover
  • 1995 Handicapped Society of France - Chose "Gires from St.Tropez" for Corporate Card
  • 1997 Oshawa Generals - Hockey Mural (40'x15') commissioned by the City of Oshawa, Ontario
  • 1998 A Tribute to "Chief Dan George" painting and Limited Edition commissioned by Chief Leonard George
  • 1999 BeachComber Salutes the Legends and The Record Breakers (300'x30') - largest mural in Canada commissioned by Keith Scott of Beachcomber International, Surrey, BC, Canada
  • 2000 Circle of Life (15' diameter) - Domed Ceiling Project - Boardroom, Beachcomber International
  • 2001 United by Our Children Mural (110'x30') commissioned by City of Ely, Nevada, USA

Call or e-mail Joanne for commission work.
Tel: 604-685-5032, Cell: 604-836-5031