The story of the painting

I started painting at the end of 2021. It was emotional look at how the world is changing under Covid. We, people, also me, working from home, watching theater, cinema, concerts at home. Art exhibitions could also be viewed at home. For a moment there was a feeling that we - humanity remains an underground civilization that has no reason to go out, because everything necessary is served! And this feeling is reflected in my painting by the empty, black eyes, like two deep nowheres. But, in the hope that this dark time will also end one day, I plan to call the painting  as "Treasures found in the depths". Just like underwater archaeologists, explorers find ancient cities in the depths of the seas, bringing lost treasures to light.

The direction of this painting was originally "look up". From the depths slowly towards the sun. Hope. From darkness to light.

But... in 2022, on February 24th, war came to Ukraine. And the painting radically changed the direction. It went from light down, to darkness. This was again symbolized by the empty black eyes, which this time expressed true horror and hopelessness. I gave the painting the title: "Have you ever died? The Big Game, Falling Into The Deep". I put this game of life, the checkered square, almost invisible black lines stretch across the ancient face. This ancient face is our history... As the invisible "border" beyond which there is no way back. Which side is civilization on?

Some time ago, I read Zen Buddhist stories. I do not know why, but I remembered exactly one. And I read it again. The disciple asked Zen teacher "can we talk about death?". The teacher asked: "Have you ever died?" The continuation of the story is interesting....

That is how the title of the painting came about.

In the painting, there is a noticeable reference to one of my latest graphic work, named "Fairy tales of the distant sea", in which I included a story about a sultan who was a great of his time as a bringer of destruction at the same time.

With these parallels, I would like to say - man, as God's creation, is like beautiful creation and like monster at the same time. We can do beautiful things, we are capable of immeasurable generosity and love. By risking our lives, we are able to save lives, save the planet and cultural values. And also, we can destroy, we can kill with words and deeds as well. And we see all this today, in our lives, in a few years.

During the lifetime of each generation, there have been and will certainly be moments when civilization puts itself on a " edge of life".

That is what this my painting is about.

• In May, 2022, my painting participated in the visual art exhibition "ART DAYS 2022. WAR. UKRAINE". Latvian Artist's Union Art Gallery. Riga. Latvia.

Foto, info: LOOK HERE!

• From August to October 10, 2022 this painting participated at the art exhibition in the contemporary art gallery "bazar't", Krasta street 46, TC MOLS, Riga, LATVIA.
  

Foto, info: LOOK HERE!

• From October 29, 2022 to January 06, 2023 this painting was shown in my solo exhibition in Liepaja, LATVIA.

Foto, info: LOOK HERE!

"HAVE YOU EVER DIED? THE BIG GAME. FALLING INTO THE DEEP". Oil on canvas. 79,5x50,5cm. 2022