Kalvis ZāLīTis

Born in 1976. Lives and works in Riga.
Member of the Union of Latvian Artists.

I'm interested in realistic painting, trying to reveal the inner nature of objects.
In my artwork, the main objects of interest are light and shade and their juxtaposition that creates powerful dramatic contrast revealing the corporeal structure of the painted objects. Having a deep insight into the materiality of the painted objects helps me approach the metaphysical nature of objects - instead of portraying the figures or objects I am recreating them in another reality, the plane of canvas.
The recreated objects are as real as the ones that have been source of inspiration. Illuminated by powerful light, they emerge, for an instant, from darkness that symbolizes nonexistence, the fundamental source of everything. Static from the outside yet permeated with tension, the mythological figures or Biblical archetypes seem to be in a different spacetime, briefly appearing to the viewer, in a glance of light, and instantly disappearing in all-embracing darkness.

Art Academy of Latvia

Participates in exhibitions from year 1995.

Important exhibitions and projects:

Participation in exhibition “100 in the Art of Latvia” in the Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre
Participation in group exhibition of contemporary Latvian art from all around the world. Global Center for Latvian Art, Cesis, Latvia
Participation in Montreux Art Gallery contemporary art fair (MAG) in Montreux, Switzerland
Participation in group exhibition “Opening #1” in gallery “Museum LV”, Riga, Latvia
Participation in exhibition in gallery TVD ART in Berlin
Participation in group exhibition in gallery “Signet Contemporary Art, London
Participation in the “World Art Dubai 2016” Art Fair in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
One-man exhibition “Private Mythology”. Gallery “Bastejs”, Riga, Latvia
Participation in project “Cinematograf”. Museum of Marc Chagall, Vitebsk, Belarus
Group exhibition “Five from Marrakesh”. Architect’s house, Riga, Latvia
Participation in exhibition “Creative workshop”. Gallery “Bastejs”, Riga,Latvia
Winner of the audience prize in competition “Painting of the year”. Gallery A.Suna, Riga, Latvia
Project “Latvia. You won’t believe it, until you see it” participant, Riga,Latvia
Participation in project “Glein”. M...