Biography
Richard Becker was born in 1958; raised in the glow of Southeast Los Angeles refineries. At an early age he demonstrated a natural proficiency for the arts. Encouraged by an artistic family he continued to draw and paint as a youth. But his aptitude for the sciences, as well as a drive to move past his circumstances, fueled his efforts toward a career in technology. Aside from an occasional drawing or sketch, he dropped art completely. He took but one art class after age 12.
In 1994, with several technology patents and an advanced degree from Stanford to his credit, Richard began a European work assignment that would bring art back into his life.
“While living in Barcelona and traveling in Europe I had an artistic re-awakening. Art was everywhere – the plazas, the museums, the architecture… I fell in love with the power and beauty of art and I was especially drawn to sculpture. One afternoon I bought some clay, sat on the veranda and formed a crude little head. It was an electric experience. From that moment on creating sculpture has been my consuming passion.”
Making up for lost time, Richard’s artistic training was intense. While living in Spain, he toured the great museums of Europe, the ruins of ancient Egypt and the cities of Western Asia. He also studied at Barcelona’s Escola d’Art. Returning to the U.S. in 1997 with a drive to capture human realism, he studied at the Art Academy of Los Angeles, with sculptor Chris Pardell, with anatomist Vlad Medenica and worked under New York Academy of Art Sculpture Director and Rodin Grand Prize winner Martine Vaugel.
Richard’s home and studio are in Southern California. His works can be found in European and American collections and have been exhibited alongside world greats including Hart, Picasso and Rembrandt. In 2003 Richard was elected into the Artist Guild of the San Diego Museum of Art and Awarded the National Sculpture Society’s Edward Fenno Hoffman Prize for uplifting sculptural works.