The Museum "Riga Art Nouveau Centre" is pleased to invite visitors to see the exhibit "Art Inspired by Latvian Folk Poetry" by the American artist Deborah La Grasse from August 14, 2020 till November 22, 2020. The author gives her own interpretation how symbolism, myth, and legend in the rich traditions of Latvian poetry or dainas and Art Nouveau architecture can nowadays provide inspiration for creativity. She has made 27 color drawings with sculptural elements. This art encourages a viewer to see Latvian cultural historical values in an international context. The exhibit will be opened on 13 August at 12:00. at 17:00, and will be seen on-line at the Museum's Facebook profile https://www.facebook.com/RigaArtNouveau/
The exhibit was created in cooperation with the Embassy of the United States of America in Latvia.
In the process of creating Deborah has selected folk poetry, arranged it, analysed rituals and metaphors, examining on the theme covered, as well as searching for a connection with the architectural components of the facades of Riga Art Nouveau buildings.
The stimulus for her art aroused when she participated in exhibits and camps encouraging creativity and in Latvia in 2013 and 2014. The author organized a tour of Riga, a panel discussion. She bacame acquainted with the Art Nouveau architecture, as well as the depth of Latvia's rich art, music and linguistic traditions.
Deborah La Grasse was born in Gainesville, Florida and received her Bachelor of Arts in Drawing and Painting from the University of Florida and a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Southern Illinois University. She has taught both sculpture and architectural design for over 30 years. La Grasse’s work has been featured in exhibitions and collections nationally and internationally. Her interest in creating cultural dialogues has ledher to teach in universities, facilitate workshops and conferences, and participate in artist residencies in Latvia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Peru, India, and the United Kingdom.
The visitors of this exhibit will see Latvian Folk poetry and the architecture of Riga Art Nouveau in a different light. The expierence would be a symbolic gift to the public on the 185th anniversary of the Latvian folklore compiler and publisher Krišjānis Barons this autumn. After the exhibit in the Museum "Riga Art Nouveau Centre" in November 2020, the author's desire is to offer her works to art lovers in Latvia and to direct the the funds obtained to a charitable organisation offering help the needs of families of modern soldiers.