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+
This painting, "Ice in the Fire" by Daiva Staškevičienė, features a young person wearing what looks like a vibrant headpiece. The headpiece is fiery red and orange, giving the impression of both fluidity and flame. Droplets and flowing shapes suspended around the headpiece add a dynamic feel to the image. The person's face is calm and introspective, painted with soft, subtle hues that contrast sharply with the vivid colors above. Daiva Staškevičienė used a realistic style for the face, capturing delicate facial features with great detail and depth. The headpiece, however, is more abstract, its chaotic and colorful nature drawing the eye and creating a powerful visual impact. The style marries realism with elements of surrealism, bridging the real and the imaginative smoothly. This combination evokes a strong emotional response, highlighting the contrast between the cool, serene expression of the face and the wild, energetic colors of the headpiece.
