"City Garden / Kuldiga, Latvia" Drawing

Lauris Mīlbrets (b.1979) is a visual artist who maintains a studio practice in Latvia. He holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Visual Arts from the Art Academy of Latvia and has been participating in exhibitions since 2002. Lauris has experienced two distinct phases in his career—one marked by realism and the other by abstraction. In the Realistic period, he focused on capturing the world with precision and meticulous attention to detail. Currently, Lauris works within a style of abstract, segmented painting, where each area is painted separately with different colors, textures or patterns. It requires careful planning and execution to ensure that the segments complement each other and form a cohesive painting. This technique makes it possible to create detailed and complex compositions, resulting in dynamic works of art. Consequently, his works could also be described as design objects. His medium of choice is acrylic paint, but he also works with oils and other mediums. Lauris has had a dynamic artistic journey, residing in both Canada and the United States. In Canada, particularly Hamilton, ON, he has drawn inspiration from the city’s industrial roots and growing cultural scene, creating works that reflect a blend of heritage and modernity. In New York, he was immersed in the city’s fast-paced, diverse art world, which explored new techniques and concepts. This cross-border experience has enriched his practice, combining Canadian influences with the global energy of the New York creative landscape. Lauris was recipient of a 2003 Latvian Unibank "Professor's Indulis Zariņš" painters award. Being selected for the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition in 2014 marked a significant career moment, offering exposure to a broad, diverse audience at one of Canada’s major art festivals. Later, receiving an opportunity in 2017 from the Ministry of Culture of Latvia for a residency at "Cité Internationale des Arts" in Paris was transformative for Lauris, allowing him to immerse in Paris’s artistic culture, refine his practice, and broaden his creative perspective. His works are in collections in Latvia, USA, Canada, Norway, Denmark and Germany.