hegemons hygiene, oil on canvas, 150x110cm, 2010 Painting

Sergejs Djomins was born on April 19, 1974, in RÄ«ga, Latvia, to lawyer Aleksandrs Djomins and economist Ludmila Djomina. The greatest impression in Sergejs' life was left by his grandfather, Anatolijs, who was a career military officer. Sergejs warmly remembers visiting his grandfather, particularly during the summer, when he could run free in the man's little garden in Ziepniekkalns. Sergejs remembers: "I started to go to school at age seven. It was a school for children with special needs, kids with physical and mental disorders. I had been diagnosed with scoliosis, and my parents were told to send me to a boarding school, where I would get all of the necessary assistance. I spent three years there. None of the treatments helped, but I enjoyed myself. I was the best student and athlete, and we were fed very well. At the age of 10, I returned to RÄ«ga and went to a normal high school. I was very disappointed to find that I was among the worst students there. By my graduation in 1991, however, my grades were normal. I was interested in history, so I entered the University of Latvia's Faculty of History and Philosophy. After four years, I didn't want to pursue a master's degree, and there wasn't much of a chance to find a job, because there is still aesthetic racism in Latvia. Who would offer a job that would be tempting to an ambitious 21-year-old? History was no longer of that much interest to me, and I didn't think that it was the only possibility in life. The financial situation of my parents allowed me to continue my studies, and I chose to become a jeweller. Those were my first steps in the colourful world of art. I was truly excited by art. A girl told me that I should enter the Academy of Art. I made the choice and didn't enter the academy. I had to go to preparatory classes to learn to draw. I met alcohol, nicotine and my future wife. She's had the greatest impression on my life and work. She's always supported me, and she's always believed in my talent even when no one else agreed."