Stass Shpanin

Assistant Teaching Professor of Art (Painting and Drawing)
Program Director
M.F.A. Temple University, Tyler School of Art

stass.shpanin@rutgers.edu
shpanin.com
(856) 225-2897
Fine Arts Building, Rm. 258

Biography

Stass Shpanin is a painter and an installation artist whose interest is focused on historical interpretations. His work ranges from monumental historical paintings showcasing European and American history to total installations commenting on institutional critique. Shpanin’s works have been shown internationally, and venues include Smack Mellon Gallery in New York City, Gridchinhall Gallery in Moscow, Russia, Five Points Gallery in Torrington, CT, and Temple Contemporary in Philadelphia, among others. In 2017, Stass Shpanin completed a project Coltland Souvenir Shop at the EBK Gallery in Hartford, CT. This time, Stass Shpanin transformed the EBK Gallery space into a souvenir shop with the installation of Samuel Colt busts wearing clown noses, and “poster” like paintings. Stass Shpanin is interested in creating a seductive space that welcomes viewers; through their participation, he wants his audience to be trapped in the absurdity of juxtaposed images, ideas, surfaces, and histories.

Shpanin graduated from the Hartford Art School, University of Hartford with a BFA in Painting. After graduation he traveled to Russia as a Fulbright Fellow, where he continued his visual research through work in archives and in his studio at the Russian Arts Academy. Since 2014, Shpanin has been teaching graduate level courses at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (MIT affiliate program, in Russia). In 2016 he received his MFA in painting from the Tyler School of Art. Currently, Shpanin’s studio is based in Philadelphia, PA.

Faculty Gallery