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 artwork presents a whimsical and intricate depiction of various structures and symbols, assembled to form a figure reminiscent of a traditional folk character or a totem. At the top, a house-like structure with a pointed roof and decorative elements seems to crown the composition. Directly below, there are circular motifs that could represent wheels or perhaps symbolic medallions, adorned with patterns and smaller satellite images that suggest a connection to nature or folklore. Further exploring the piece, the middle section reveals a dense ensemble of buildings, each detailed with windows, doors, and roofs, suggesting a village scene. These buildings are intertwined with trees, branches, and flora, integrating nature with human habitation. This blend seamlessly transitions into more abstract and fantastical elements, like swirls and possibly mythical creatures, giving an enchanted forest feel. At the very bottom, the images become more grounded with representations of earthly animals—an owl and a fox—adding a touch of life and vitality. The overall palette is subdued with hints of color, emphasizing textures and the fine details of each element. The artist's use of space and symbol creates a narrative that likely delves into cultural heritage, mythology, and the interconnectedness of man, architecture, and nature.
