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 titled "City Guard" by Daiva Staškevičienė presents a fantastical and intricate portrayal of a cityscape merging with the form of a human figure, which appears to both emerge from and integrate into the urban environment. The figure, suggestive of a guardian or sentinel, wears a richly detailed architectonic garment that seamlessly transitions into the buildings and structures of a city. Its torso and head are composed of tiers of urban and architectural elements including towers, columns, and arches. The figure holds a street lamp, further emphasizing its role as a guardian of the city. In the background, various architectural features including towers and buildings are visible amidst a lightly sketched, ethereal setting. Subtle hints of color and whimsical details like a floating hot air balloon contribute to the dreamlike, surreal quality of the artwork. The meticulous linework and delicate texturing combine to create a dynamic and imaginative interpretation of a city as a living, guarded entity.
