About
My professional education was completed at Textile Department of Latvian Academy of Arts and I hold a Master’s Degree in Textile Arts. I have been practicing as a professional textile artist for 30 years. Since 1985 I have been participating in international shows and art projects all over the world and my works are part of public and private collections. I’m following the constant path of innovation in design, materials and techniques, highlighting the artistic values of Latvian professional contemporary textile art. Thinking of each composition as small world, a treasury of captured reflections – joy of colors, diversity of materials and ever increasing technical solutions.
Elina Lusis-Grinberga
- Education:
Master’s Degree in Textile Arts. - Experience:
International shows and art projects all over the world and their works are part of public and private collections. Numerous solo shows worldwide and have been frequently invited to teach master classes in Europe and overseas. - Memberships:
since 1992 – member of Latvian Artists’ Union
since 1997 – member of Latvian Textile Association
since 2003 – member of European Textile Network (ETN)
since 2010 –International Representative of Latvian Patchwork Association
since 2017 – Co-President of Latvian Patchwork Association
since 2017 – President of European Quilt Association (EQA)
since 2019 - member of “ART QUILT FUSION” - Teaching masterclasses:
Great Britain, Switzerland, France, Iceland, USA, Canada, Russia. - Awards:
2011 – Award in 1st Contemporary Tapestry Triennial in Moscow (Russia) “The Best of the Show” in the category “Innovative Approach to the Tradition”
I have always been fascinated by limitless and ever–increasing possibilities of decorative expressions in textile media, as well as the uniqueness and subtlety of fine handwork. My artworks reveal that I have never looked upon tapestry versus fibre art in my creative activity. The two media are separate, independent artistic ways to express my ideas and visions. My particular interest is in juxtaposing clear forms against subtle and exquisite details. At the same time, both of them reflect my main mean of visual expressiveness – “to paint” with a thread. Throughout the centuries, textile art has been human-centered, so the main purpose of textile art still remains ourselves and space around us. I desire my tapestries and quilts to be a part of human living space - a place that is daily inhabited and personalized by each of us, a space filled with our individuality and predisposition to peace and protection.
Biography
It is not a fortuity that I am an artist – I was born in the family of artists. My father is a painter and my mother is a textile artist. Since the very childhood I can remember myself growing up in the creative atmosphere surrounded by paints, brushes as well as yarns and threads. At a very early age it was quite obvious that my love and passion for arts will one day materialize in my own art works. This awareness impelled me to purposefully accomplish my dream to become a professional artist. I have always considered both my parents as first and most influential teachers who prepared me for the further studies in the Textile department at the Latvian State Academy of Arts. Over the years I have treasured the knowledge and experience my parents taught and still to this day they are the ones I enjoy sharing my ideas with.
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I have never doubted that specifically textile art is my field – I have always been fascinated by limitless and ever–increasing possibilities of decorative expressions in textile media, as well as the uniqueness and subtlety of the fine handwork. Another wonderful quality of textiles lies in their materiality. The tactile nature of fibre is what makes this medium universally appealing. I’m constantly infused with the new inspiration through the dynamic possibilities offered by textile art as I try to capture and convey my thoughts, feelings and experiences.
I have been practising as a professional textile artist for more than 30 years. Although I had learned many techniques, for example batiks, printing etc., during my studies at the Textile Department at the Latvian Academy of Arts, I chose tapestry as my favourite medium while being a student. The early period of my artistic activity is characterized by the even deepening interest in tapestry as a decoratively monumental art. The works of this time reflect my interest and searching in thematic figural compositions using laconic means of expression. My aim was to discern the inner activity of a monumental form and the emotional saturation of a colour area. Colour, rhythm and form – essential agents of ideas embodied in my works. I was interested in clear forms and pure, bright colours, eventually supplemented with details. By and by (in the course of time), in order to add poetic and lyric vision the colours gradually became more restrained introducing subtle graduations, hues and nuances. Tapestry as a “woven painting” with over centuries proven high esthetical qualities requires not only excellent technical skills, but also a great deal of patience. Over the last 25 years my attention has been attracted also to innovational works in patchwork, quilt and other surface design techniques that provide never-ending opportunities for experimenting. Modern technology and digital tools offers a wide variety of try-outs. I have found innovations valuable since they afford a way to express something when a traditional method or material will not suffice. Works in the “fibre art” media reflect my experiments with fabric and different techniques, for example appliqué, batiks, print (silk-screen as well as digital print), hand- and machine-embroidery etc. The compositions reveal my interest in juxtaposing clear forms to subtle and exquisite details. By getting acquainted with and using the modern technologies, I’m trying to achieve even more refined surface design.
At the same time I have never looked upon tapestry versus fibre art in my creative activity. The two media are separately independent artistic ways to express my ideas and visions, at the same time both of them reflecting my main mean of visual expressiveness – “to paint” with a thread. Since 1985 I have been participating in exhibitions in Riga and round Latvia, international exhibitions in Baltic States, Russia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Turkey, Denmark, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Australia. I’ve always put the emphasis on doing things very thoroughly and methodically. That refers not only to technical skills, but also to research. I practise studying the theme (subject) in historical, as well as theoretical aspect in order to see their very special and distinct place in contemporary context. It involves being very open to current events in contemporary textile field, as well as that of arts in general. Since studying at Latvian Academy of Arts I’ve always been very curious and eager to broaden my knowledge about happenings in the art world on international scale. I have been involved in several international projects where I got a very useful experience in learning to work together in an international team with artists from different media, like sculptors, painters, ceramists etc. This allowed tasting the continuing changing of art, where boundaries between the disciplines are not set. That stimulated learning and developing my abilities to communicate by the means of artistic expression, creating ideas together, discussing opinions on art issues, analysing and debating on the actual subjects of the field. It was helpful to evaluate my own status as textile artist and researcher in the international context.
Over the last 10 years I have been invited to teach during the Quilt and Patchwork Festivals in Europe and overseas - Birmingham (Great Britain), St. Marie-aux-Mines (France), St. Moritz (Switzerland), St. Petersburg, Moscow (Russia) and Ailsa Craig (Ontario, Canada). My aim for classes is to encourage and teach how to develop one’s own artistic style and create unique decorative surfaces by using and experimenting with different fabrics and materials, new fibres and textures as well as creative machine embroidery.
In the modern world of disposable culture, there is a high demand for instant results and speedily manufactured cultural objects, even in contemporary art. Despite this challenge, textile art has triumphed, proving its lasting artistic and professional qualities over different transitive experiments and quests. Throughout the centuries textile art has been human-centered, so the main purpose of textile art still remains ourselves and space around us. I desire my works to be a part of human living space - a place that is daily inhabited and personalized by each of us, a space filled with our individuality and predisposition to peace and protection.
Shows, Collections and Projects
Participation in international projects has been a very useful experience in learning to work together in an international team with artists from different media, like sculptors, painters, ceramists etc. This allowed tasting the continuing changing of art, where boundaries between the disciplines are not set. That stimulated learning and developing my abilities to communicate by the means of artistic expression, creating ideas together, discussing opinions on art issues, analysing and debating on the actual subjects of the field. It was helpful to evaluate my own status as textile artist and researcher in the international context.
Solo Shows
- 2018 - Exhibition “Frontal View” in gallery „Apsida” (Riga)
- 2013 - Exhibition at Festival of Quilts (St.Petersburg, Russia)
- 2013 - Exhibition in the International Show “Quiltfest” (Moscow, Russia)
- 2013 - Exhibition “Tex-Style” at Creativa Montpellier (France)
- 2012 - Exhibition in Adazi Cultural Centre (Latvia)
- 2012 – Exhibition “Tex-Style” at European Patchwork Meeting (Ste Marie-aux-Mines, France)
- 2012 – Exhibition in “Quilt Expo en Beaujolais” (Beaujolais, France)
- 2012 – Exhibition in the International Show “L’aiguille en fete” (Paris, France)
- 2011 - Exhibition “ART-DUO” in gallery “Belajevo” (Moscow, Russia)
- 2011 – Exhibition “Tex-style” in “Winter Garden” at Tallinn Opera House (Tallinn, Estonia) ...
- 2010 - Exhibition in gallery „Apsida” (Riga)
- 2010 -Exhibition in Kuldiga, (Latvia)
- 2009 - Exhibition in Arts’ Museum in Cesis (Latvia)
- 2009 - Exhibition in gallery „Apsida” (Riga)
- 2007 - Bad Wildungen (Germany)
- 2007 - Exhibition in Blackheads’ House (Riga, Latvia)
- 2005 - Exhibition “Fabric and Color” in Arts’ Museum in Liepaja (Latvia)
- 2002 - Exhibition “Quattro” in Arts’ Museum in Talsi (Latvia)
- 1991 - Art Days show in Gulbene (Latvia)
- 1990 - Environmental Club Gallery „M 6“(Riga, Latvia)
1990 - 2018
Main Group Shows
1987 - 2020
- 2020 – Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association “Renewed Values” (Talsi, Latvia)
- 2020 – 11th International Quilt Festival (Riga, Latvia)
- 2020 – 4 artists’ exhibition “Open Window” (Riga, Latvia)
- 2019 – Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association “Play with Materials” (Cesis, Latvia)
- 2019 – Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association “In the Web of the Age” (Saremaa, Estonia)
- 2019 - Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association “Play with Materials” (Jelgava, Latvia)
- 2019 - Miniature textile exhibition of Latvian Textile Association „Crackling of Thoughts” (Jelgava, Latvia)
- 2019 – 11th International Quilt Festival (Riga, Latvia) ...
- 2018 – 3rd International Tapestry Triennial (Moscow, Russia)
- 2016 – International Quilt Exhibition during „European Patchwork Meeting” in St.Marie-aux-Mines (France)
- 2016 - Festival of Quilts (Birmingham, UK)
- 2016 - International Quilt Festival (Ailsa Craig, Canada)
- 2015 - Festival of Quilts (Birmingham, UK)
- 2015 – 7th International miniature textile exhibition “Boredom” (Kerson, Ukraine)
- 2014 – Exhibition at Jelgava Art Museum (Jelgava, Latvia)
- 2014 - International Quilt Festival “Grand Textile” (Moscow, Russia)
- 2014 – 2nd International Tapestry Triennial (Moscow, Russia)
- 2014 – International Quilt Festival (St.Petersburg, Russia)
- 2013 – International miniature textile exhibition “Boredom” (Germany, Great Britain, France)
- 2012 - Exhibition “Latvian Art Quilts” at Festival of Quilts (St.Petersburg, Russia)
- 2012 – Exhibition “Latvian Art Quilts” at Festival of Quilts (Birmingham, UK)
- 2012 – International Quilt Exhibition “Signs of the Time”
(Germany, France) - 2011 – 1st International Tapestry Triennial “Square meter-my space” (Moscow, Russia)
- 2011 – Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries Exhibition (Melbourne, Australia)
- 2011 - International miniature textile exhibition “Vanish/Survive” (Vilnius, Lithuania)
- 2011 – International miniature textile exhibition “Freedom” (Germany, Great Britain, France)
- 2010 – III International Applied Arts Festival “Unforgotten Traditions” (Moscow, Russia)
- 2010 - International Patchwork and Quilt Exhibition „ Jacquard-Inspirationen” (Leipzig, Germany)
- 2010 - 15th Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association (Riga, Latvia)
- 2009 –International Exhibition in “Kunstsalon Franz Leuwer“ (Bremen, Germany)
- 2009 –II International Applied Arts Festival “Unforgotten Traditions” (Moscow, Russia)
- 2009 - International Patchwork and Quilt Exhibition „Borderless” (Budapest, Hungary)
- 2009 - Latvian Patchwork and Quilt Exhibition in Moscow (Russia)
- 2009 – 14th Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association (Riga, Latvia)
- 2009 - Latvian Textile Art Exhibition in Museum of Foreign Arts (Riga, Latvia)
- 2009 - Patchwork and Quilt Exhibition in Mencendorf’s House (Riga, Latvia)
- 2008 – Latvian Textile Art Exhibition during „European Patchwork Meeting” in St.Marie-aux-Mines (France)
- 2008– International Textile exhibition “Threads Unite Women” (France, Germany, Austria, Denmark)
- 2008 - 13th Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association (Riga, Latvia)
- 2007 – Latvian Textile Art Exhibition in Istanbul (Turkey)
- 2007 –12th Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association (Riga, Latvia)
- 2007 – European Art Quilt Festival in Birmingham (Great Britain)
- 2007 – European Patchwork Meeting (France)
- 2007 – European Art Quilt Festival in Lion (France)
- 2006 – Textile Art Exhibition in Artists’ Union Gallery (Riga, Latvia)
- 2006 – Latvian Textile Art Exhibition in Berlin (Germany)
- 2006 - Latvian Textile Art Exhibition in Hamburg (Germany)
- 2006 - 11th Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association (Riga, Latvia)
- 2005 – Patchwork and Quilt Exhibition in Mencendorf’s House (Riga, Latvia)
- 2005 - 10th Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association (Riga, Latvia)
- 2005 – European Art Quilt Festival in Birmingham (Great Britain)
- 2004 - Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association (Talsi, Latvia)
- 2004 – Latvian Textile Art Exhibition (Australia)
- 2004 - Latvian Textile Art Exhibition „Colorful Stories” (Riga, Latvia)
- 2004 – 9th Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association (Riga, Latvia)
- 2004 - Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association (Liepaja, Latvia)
- 2003 - Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association „World in World” (Riga, Latvia)
- 2003 – European Quilt Show (Great Britain and Netherlands)
- 2002 - Exhibition of Latvian Textile Association „ Connection”
(Riga, Latvia) - 2002 – Applied Arts Exhibition (Valmiera, Latvia)
- 2002 - Textile Art Exhibition presented by Latvian Embassy
(Tallinn, Estonia) - 2002 – Miniature Textile Exhibition in gallery „Apsida” (Riga, Latvia)
- 2001 – International Textile Art exhibition „Soft World” (Kaunas, Lithuania)
- 2001 –Latvian Textile Exhibition in Applied Arts and Design Museum (Riga, Latvia)
- 1999 – Applied Arts Exhibition in gallery „Bastejs” (Riga, Latvia)
- 1998 – Applied Arts Exhibition in Applied Arts and Design Museum (Riga, Latvia)
- 1997 – Miniature Textile Exhibition in gallery „Laiva” (Riga, Latvia)
- 1992 - Latvian Textile Exhibition (Graz, Austria)
- 1992 – Textile Art Exhibition in Applied Arts and Design Museum (Riga, Latvia)
- 1991 – Applied Arts Exhibition in Applied Arts and Design Museum (Riga, Latvia)
- 1990 – Group Exhibition (Bremen, Germany)
- 1989 – Group Exhibition in Planetarium (Riga, Latvia)
- 1988 – Triennial of Baltic Young Artists (Jurmala, Latvia)
- 1988 – Miniature Textile Exhibition (Hungary)
- 1988 –Miniature Textile Exhibition (Moscow, Russia)
- 1988 – Miniature Textile Exhibition from Baltic States
(Tallinn, Estonia) - 1987 – Latvian Applied Arts Exhibition
- 1987 – Latvian Miniature Textile Exhibition
Work in Collections
- Applied Arts and Design Museum (Riga, Latvia)
- Private collections in Latvia, Germany, Great Britain, USA.
Awards
- 2011 – Award in 1st Contemporary Tapestry Triennial in Moscow (Russia) “The Best of the Show” in the category
“Innovative Approach to the Tradition”
Participation in international projects
2002 - 2019
- 2018-2019 – Publishing of the book “Aina Muze. Eternal Thread” (managing editor)
- 2018 - Lecture/slideshow „Latvian Contemporary Textile Artist Aina Muze” during 3rd International Tapestry Triennial in Museum of Tsaritsino (Moscow, Russia)
- 2016 – Curator of Latvian Quilt Exhibition during „European Patchwork Meeting” in Ste Marie-aux-Mines (France)
- 2016 – Curator of Latvian Quilt Exhibition during International Quilt Festival (Tampere, Finland)
- 2016 - Lecture/slideshow „Latvia and Latvian Contemporary Quilt Art” at International Quilt Festival (Ailsa Craig, Canada)
- 2016 - Curator of Latvian Quilt Exhibition during International Quilt Festival (Ailsa Craig, Canada)
- 2014 - Lecture/slideshow „Latvian Contemporary Textile Art” during 2nd International Tapestry Triennial in Museum of Tsaritsino (Moscow, Russia)
- 2012 - Curator of exhibition “Latvian Art Quilts” at Festival of Quilts (St.Petersburg, Russia)
- 2012 - Curator of exhibition “Latvian Art Quilts” at Festival of Quilts (Birmingham, UK)
- 2009 - Lecture/slideshow „Latvian Contemporary Textile Art in the context of European Textile art” at the Museum of Foreign Arts (Riga, Latvia)
- 2008 – Curator of Latvian Textile Exhibition during „European Patchwork Meeting” in St.Marie-aux-Mines (France)
- 2008 – Textile Art Project „Threads Unite Women” (Germany-Afghanistan)
- 2007 – Textile Art Project „Threads Unite Women” (Germany-Afghanistan)
- 2006 – Tapestry project „Latvia-Sweden”
- 2003 – Lecture/slideshow „Latvian Contemporary Textile Art” (Minneapolis, USA)
- 2003 – Tapestry project „Latvia-Sweden”
- 2002 – Art Project „Latvia- Germany”
Gallery
Starting with an idea that may come as a word, color or sign and just wants to be materialized. I'm creating one of a kind artwork - from A to Z, from an idea/sketch to the finished unique textile art piece. Textile media has the ability to touch everybody in a real intimate way. Its tactility makes our fast-moving and technically orientated lives more sensual and less impersonal. I desire my works to be a part of human living space - a place that is daily inhabited and personalized by each of us, a space filled with our individuality and predisposition to peace and protection.
Publications
There are numerous articles and publications where Elina's art and creative activities are mentioned in different languages all over the world.
Reviews
Liels paldies par patieso Latvijas baudījumu Igaunijā! Prieks organizēt, prieks sastrādāties!
Kārlis Eihenbaums
Latvijas vēstnieks Igaunijā
Congratulations! Fantastic exhibition! I would be happy to see it also in Sofia!
Dr. Petio Petev
Ambassador of Bulgaria
Remarkable craft work! Very creative and inspirational. The Lord bless you.
John & Elly Prins
The Netherlands
Je suis en totale admiration. Merci de vous faire rêver
Angélique
France
Спасибо большое! Прекрасная экспозиция! Очень приятно, что автор использует нетрадиционные материалы! Квилты смотрятся смело, неожиданно, по-новому! Желаю творческих побед!
Вера Щербакова
Россия
J’adore, j’adore, j’adore. Extraordinaire.
O. Piloris
France
Magnifique! Merci de nous faire profiter de vos créations.
Luk & Alice
Belgique
Superbe expo, beaucoup de choses innovantes. Merci beaucoup et à bientôt.
Claudine
France
Merci pour cette belle exposition Elina! À bientôt dans ton voyage textile que tu nous fais partager avec bonheur.
Foëlle Jan-Gagneux
France
Fantastic work!
Rebecca
New Zealand
Elina, я восхищена вашей работой с цветом и материалом!
Елена Фоломьева
Россия
Sehr vielfältige Arbeiten - vielen Dank, dass ich sie sehen durfte! Viel Erfolg weiterhin!
Hildegard Braatz
Deutschland
Nous terminons l’exposition par un feu d’artifice, félicitations à Elina!
Madeleine & Gilbert
Belgique
Ich bin begeistert! Du hast eine wunderschöne Auswahl Deiner Werke mitgebracht zum 18.Patchwork Meeting Ste Marie. Dein Stil ist ein eigener, eine eigene Handschrift, die man wiedererkennt. Bitte weiter so!
Gudrun & Wolfgang & Valerie
Deutschland
Le coup de cœur, merveilleuse coloriste.
Christophe
France
Beaucoup de travail, beaucoup d’idées. Superbe et original.
Étienne
France
Admiration! Que de beauté! Très beau travail, bien apprécié. Félicitations!
Sylvie
France
Ravissante imagination, accueil agréable! Merci.
Geneviève et Nathalie
France
Magnifiques œuvres présentées par la créatrice pleine de talents. Harmonie des couleurs sublimes. Bravo et Merci!
Isabelle
France
Absolutely fabulous!
Johanna Courtenay
Austria
Bravo à votre artiste!
Ses tapisseries sont réalisées avec finesse: dessin et couleurs. Merci!
Marc et Laurence
France
Magnifique œuvre d'art artisanale Du jamais vu. Bravo Mesdame,
Ivanka
France
Une œuvre qui me réconcilie avec l’humanité en ces temps si difficiles.
Françoise
France
Merci de toutes ces beautés faites pour nous ravir et nous rendre heureuses. Je suis contente d’avoir fait votre connaissance, et peut-être à une prochaine fois… ailleurs. Cordialement,
Christine
France
Элина, ты самая стильная! Обожаю твои работы и тебя!
Galla Grotto
Россия
Art très contemporain! Bravo!
Trudy
France
Une nouvelle approche du patchwork…. splendide, de vraies œuvres d’art. Bravo!
Antoinette
France
Sublime, Subtil, Sensible.
Liliane
France
Absolument magnifique!
Quelle patience et quelle artiste! Un grand plaisir cela évoque aussi
le côté de charm de nous! Toute mon admiration!
Thierry et Sophie
France
Contact
Location:
Riga, Latvia