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+
In the painting "Jewelry Box" by Daiva Staškevičienė, we see an elaborately detailed cabinet overflowing with a myriad of objects that evoke the feeling of a whimsical treasure trove. The structure is multi-leveled and densely packed with compartments containing various artifacts such as framed photographs, mirrors, globes, and mechanical parts. The warm, subdued colors used in the painting provide a cozy and inviting atmosphere. At the top of this fantastical cabinet, a large white cat lounges, its eyes portrayed with an almost human expression of curiosity or contentment. The presence of the cat adds a touch of life and whimsy, softening the mechanical and antique nature of the objects beneath it. The surroundings of the cabinet are simple and uncluttered, which directs the viewer's focus to the meticulously detailed center. A small sphere labeled "DALI" rests on the ground to the left, suggesting an inspiration or homage to Salvador Dalí's surrealism. To the right, a tiny cage enclosing an hourglass contributes an element of time and perhaps a hint of confinement or preservation. The amalgamation of items displayed implies a narrative or a history, inviting viewers to uncover hidden stories or memories encapsulated within this "Jewelry Box."
