Born 1940 in Humpolec (Bohemia), grew up under German and Soviet occupation, escaped to the West at the age of 25, studied painting and sculpture (from 1968 to 1970) with many visiting artists and critics at Cranbrook Academy of Art, Michigan. Built the first Museum of New New Painters, located in Toronto.

Invited to Syracuse University N.Y. as Visiting Artist in Residence (1973). Invited by Anthony Caro to Triangle Artists' Workshop as one of the guest artists (1984). Guest artist at Emma Lake Workshop (1988) and at Leighton Foundation (1990).

 

Museum exhibition of his work travelled to 5 museums (1984 and 1985).

Five cover stories in the professional magazines: Art International (1978), artmagazine (1980), Artpost (1990), Revue K (1993), Artfocus (1999).

Drapell's work has been shown in New York and Toronto since 1971, in Europe since 1980, in Asia since 1995. Video program Quest for New Art: Painter J. Drapell first shown in 1996 at Eurofilm Festival, France and at the 15th International Festival Montevideo, Uruguay in 1997.

 

Information Highway; 1999 36" x 49" Acrylic on Canvas

 

Gates of Life; 1998