Artwork in the room
Daiva Staškevičienė, born in 1968 in Vilnius, is a Lithuanian artist known for her detailed and imaginative work.
Daiva Staškevičienė’s artistic journey began in childhood and later continued through formal studies, culminating in a Master’s degree in Graphic Art at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. Having studied under the prominent Lithuanian graphic artist Leonas Lagauskas, her work is grounded in precision, structure, and strong composition.
Her graphic work is highly detailed, yet it goes beyond technical skill. Carefully constructed scenes open into a symbolic, subtly surreal world, where elements drawn from imagination, nature, and folklore emerge gradually. Each work reveals new layers over time.
Alongside printmaking, she has developed a strong painting practice. Working in oil, Staškevičienė employs the glazing technique, building her images through thin, translucent layers to create a rich sense of materiality. Her figures—faces that do not represent specific individuals—feel timeless and slightly mythical. Set against nearly flat, undefined backgrounds, they seem to float between surface and space.
Her work connects to the ideas of André Breton, who described surrealism as a meeting point between dream and reality. In her work, this connection appears gently, creating images that feel both familiar and subtly uncanny.
Graphic works are produced in limited editions, while paintings are unique pieces, making them especially valued by collectors.
About this artwork+
The painting features two oval shapes, one positioned above the other, intricately filled with a blend of mechanical elements and architectural landscapes, woven together with a portrait at the core of each oval. The upper oval showcases dense, intricate gears and clockwork components, suggesting a steampunk motif, alongside shadowy figures reminiscent of celestial bodies or planets, which create a dense, layered texture of machinery and an almost cosmic expanse. The lower oval contains a more grounded scene dominated by a female portrait, stylized with traditional headwear and serene facial expression, evoking a sense of calm and earthiness. Emerging from the figure's head and flowing throughout the oval are detailed sketches of urban landscapes, depicted in a delicate, line-art style, featuring historic buildings, possibly hinting at a specific cultural or geographical lineage. These buildings are connected by winding paths that merge seamlessly with the woman’s hair and the soft contours of her face, suggesting a deep interchange between human existence and the architectural or environmental context she is part of. Overall, the painting communicates a narrative that bridges complex inner mechanics and a tranquil, historical ambiance, portraying a dialogue between the celestial or otherworldly realms and the grounded, human experience. The use of red accents throughout adds a subtle emphasis, guiding the viewer's eye and possibly underscoring key elements or themes within the narrative interplay of the artwork.
