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, "The Quiet One," by Daiva Staškevičienė is intriguing and unique. It features a female figure with pale skin and red hair. Her head is turned to the side, revealing her profile against a vibrant yellow circular background. There's a surreal, futuristic element to the composition. Parts of her hair are styled into elaborate swirls and coils, adorned with various tiny objects and beads. Curiously, a second, smaller face appears on the back of her head, looking outward. This smaller face shares the same intricate hair design and pale complexion. The main figure's neck transitions into a smooth, blue shape resembling a vase or vessel, with hints of red at the bottom. Daiva Staškevičienė's style here is a blend of realism and fantasy, marked by strong contrasts in colors and fine details. The dark background starkly sets off the luminous yellow halo and the detailed, colorful elements of her hair. This painting mixes classical art influences with modern, imaginative twists, making it both beautiful and thought-provoking.
