Dzintra Vilks. Still Life with a Migratory Bird

From 25 February to 8 May 2022, Latvian textile artist Dzintra Vilks’ solo exhibition Still Life with a Migratory Bird will be held in the in the 4th Floor Exhibition Halls of the main building of the Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga (Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1).

The name of Dzintra Vilks is among the most prominent in the world of Latvian textile and fibre art. For many years, exhibition visitors have been delighted by the master’s creative handwriting: recognisable and unique, diverse and in constant search for new impressions, forms and materials.

Still Life with a Migratory Bird – art and nature. Since the very beginnings of her career, nature has been Dzintra Vilks’ most fundamental theme. Drawing inspiration from the forest, meadow, wind, insects, birds, seasons and blades of grass, the author creates tapestries and spatial compositions based on a motif or form which is expressed in the language of textile art. Although nature takes visual precedence in Dzintra Vilks’ works, they always convey a deeper meaning, a special message carried by a newly created work.

The artist has the ability to instantly recognise what is characteristic and important, to separate it from what is inessential, therefore her expression appears to possess an approachable, universal value. The materials used in her works are usually sourced from nature and understandable to all – linen, wool, silk, rag yarn, willow branches. Dzintra Vilks’ mastery rests on her impeccable knowledge of techniques and materials, revealing the fascinating diversity of textile art.

“I am one of those artists who build their expression on classical and ancient techniques. Plain weave, satin weave, tapestry, three-shaft twill, Nordic weave, Persian weave – in weaving; darning, sewing, broderie, embroidery, knitting, crocheting – in works made with needle and thread, without a loom. For the presentation of my idea, I use one of the basic elements of ancient textiles – a rhythmical repetition of pattern, motif. Virtually all of my works are without a beginning and without an end. That also comes from nature – an eternal, harmonious repetition of rhythm – like the change of seasons,” says Dzintra Vilks.

Dzintra Vilks’ Still Life with a Migratory Bird at the Latvian National Museum of Art encompasses works created since 2015. Many of textile compositions have been created in preparation for this certain personal exhibition, which provides an insight in the artist’s worldview and invites the visitor to a conversation about nature’s beauty, power and fragility.

Dzintra Vilks studied at the Riga Secondary School of Applied Arts (1969–1972) and the Art Academy of Latvia (1973–1978). She considers Edīte Pauls-Vīgnere and Rūdolfs Heimrāts to be her main teachers and sources of inspiration in textile art. Dzintra Vilks’ works are beloved in Latvia and have been exhibited and are held in private and museum collections throughout the world – Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, USA, and other countries.

Text by Laura Plūmiņa, Ieva Kalnača