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 portrays a butterfly composed of intricate, mechanical and architectural elements. Its wings are detailed with patterns that resemble printed circuit boards, cogs, and possibly small engine parts, blending seamlessly into architectural structures such as windows and doors that evoke a sense of old, European buildings. The body of the butterfly is centered with what appears to be a building facade, complete with windows, a central entrance, and structural details reminiscent of a church or palace. The upper part of the butterfly, possibly representing the head and antennae, is more ornamental and includes elements that could be interpreted as chandeliers or ornate, heraldic crests. All these are drawn using a delicate line technique, which gives a soft yet precise feel to the work, suggesting both fragility and complexity. The color palette is muted, with hints of earth tones, greys and subtle pastels, enhancing the aged and vintage aesthetic of the piece.
