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 delicate and almost ethereal figure, predominantly a woman adorned with a decorative helmet ornate with beads and a vaguely archaic style. Her intense gaze is directed towards the viewer, capturing attention with her large, soulful eyes that seem contemplative or mildly wistful. She holds a transparent veil close to her shoulder, suggesting a touch of modesty or mystery. Her attire is elaborate, merging with elements that suggest a blend of nature and fantasy. To her right, the composition features a fantastical array of textures and shapes, reminiscent of both organic and otherworldly forms. There are hints of feathers, leaves, and various circular motifs that could be seen as tiny planets or mystical orbs. Embedded within this whirl of details are miniature faces, each unique in expression, which seem to emerge from the abstract and chaotic forms, creating a narrative that is open to interpretation. The overall tone is whimsical yet poignant, blending realism with surreal imagining. The subtle use of color enhances the dreamlike quality of the painting, with earth tones that convey warmth and a sense of the mystical. Atop the cascade of swirling forms and faces sits a small, cherub-like figure, possibly a representation of the titular "Summer Angel," overseeing the scene with a serene or guardian-like presence. This central, angelic figure, coupled with the intricate details and the surreal assembly of images, invites the viewer into a meditative dialogue with the artwork’s deeply layered and mystical themes.
