Photo credit: Gary Suter (Victoria, BC)
Arlene Stamp was born in London, Ontario in 1938. Stamp studied at the Alberta College of Art and Design from 1974-76 and the University of Calgary from 1979-80. Previously, she had studied mathematics at the University of Western Ontario (BA, 1960). This grounding in logic and pattern has influenced her artistic practice, which since the early 1980s has shown a tendency towards serial ordering, geometry and minimalism. Generally described as conceptual painting, Stamp's work derives its strength and depth from the thematic limits she sets for herself. Stamp’s work has been exhibited widely across Canada and she has often worked collaboratively with other artists on installations and site-specific pieces. A teacher at art schools across the country, Stamp has also held studio residencies at the Emma Lake Artists’ Workshops (1977) and the Banff Centre for continuing education (1979). Stamp currently lives and works in Calgary.