X YPP Book

108
• Are you interested in the art field of the Baltic region? (write your opinion on the
context of the Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian artistic field: differences,
similarities, advantages, aspirations, etc.)
Unfortunately my knowledge about processes in Lithuanian and Estonian artistic
field is not so good to make any comparisons. Of course I know some Lithuanian
and Estonian artists and have travelled both to Vilnius and Tallinn to see
exhibitions in museums and galleries. I would rather say that I can see
similarities in Baltic region’s art field which differs it from Western Europe and
have been influenced by our quite similar history.
• Is the winning in the “Young Painter Prize” competition somehow influenced by
changes in your artistic career?
The winning of Young Painter Prize has very significant meaning in my life and
artistic career. I appreciate it as a very good and valuable idea that YPP gives you
a chance to take part in some artists’ residency in Europe as a prize. I got a wonderful
opportunity to stay for 2 months in the most admirable artist
residency – Nordic Artists’ Centre Dale in Norway. The residency program is
available for artists who already have finished their studies and I even felt a
little bit worried to go there as a student from the Art Academy. I perceived it as
a huge responsibility. I can say that it has been very important and productive
period in my professional life. Time which i spent in the residency got a lot of
extra value. One gets not only much more time for physical execution of ideas
but also a lot of time to over think and questioning your practice. That is
invaluable possibility when you don’t have to bother about your daily and are
able completely to focus on your thinking and working. As highly important I
appreciated opportunity to meet and work alongside other artists from different
countries and backgrounds. I think it is one of the best ways how to get known
with other countries art, cultural, social, political situation. I was there together
with artists from Norway, Sweden, Italy, Mexico, USA and Germany.
Communication between us definetely broadened my insight of art field’s
processes on these countries. I felt very encouraged when I experienced that my
work could be interesting for other artists and people from art field outside
Latvia. That meant really a lot for me. Also the time I spent in the residency
features the time when I developed the technique which I still continue to use
(pencil drawing on the colored acrylic background). 3 years later when I already
had finished my studying I applied for the same residency. I got an opportunity
to stay there for 4 months on 2017. And again it became a very significant period
in my life. Paintings what I made there were exhibited earlier this year (2018)
on my solo show ”…But one can never get quiet enough…” at Alma Gallery, Riga,
Latvia. So I can say that winning of YPP 5 years ago still impacts my professional
life and I am still very grateful.