IVARS ZAIKINS, PAINTER
Ivars Zaikins, born 1942, painter, painting Space Mysteries, Japanese Woman (Geisha), Eyes and Birds and Creatures In Space using his own developed techinque of mixing colors and splashes of color. For over 40 years he has been making art constantly. His permanence of creation is remarkable. His artwork is unique in its style, motif, and number.
In beginning of his art-career he was recognized artist in most common ways. He was exhibiting in shows all over ex Soviet Union, Moscow, St.Petersburgh (Leningrad), Odessa, Tallin, Riga, working together with some of top artist of his generation and as a decorator in most of stages in Riga (Opera, National Theatre, Youth Theatre, theatre Daile and list goes on). He was nominee of communist premium twice (or three??) times.
During 90`s in Latvia, when country seceded from Soviet Union (together with Baltic States), Zaikins was excomunicated from local art community due to his reputation of being relic to Soviet Union regime. Like a Jesus from art world, he was put down, while at the same time same “art-people” bowed to ex Soviet officials who were now rich, in high ranks, owners, officials, politicians etc. There are rumours about most of professors of academies, high schools, scientists, officials, any other high position etc were cooperating with KGB that time, and most of public figures also, and most any other “someone” at that time - cooperated with state.
Who knows how this mistrust came into being, but “art people” were keen and comfortable of loading their hate and dismissal to this artist and his work later on. Mobbing went on and Zaikins was blamed for everything, his art was not developing, he had ruined his family life, he lead a messy way of life and on and on. Mostly evaluating his personality, lifestyle and reputation, not his art.
Still today you can go and talk to some gallerists or art historians about Zaikin to hear this echo of hate speech.
From this time on he went underground and his art was appreciated by his personal circle of supporters.
Information / reputation sensitive community of art became aware of Ivars Zaikins as an outcast and for a period of 15 -20 years there was nobody in Riga/Latvia art community who would say or do anything in favour of this artist. Nobody dared to favour Zaikin, because “serious people” think of him like that! And not to risk with own reputation, most art people, who considered themselves “serious” didnt “mess” with him, and generated more negative information about him, which was considered to be “right way” and justifiable, safe, wise. I have noticed that gallerie Antonia made effort to push down prices and reputation of Zaikins paintings - py putting into auction 5-7 pieces, pricing each 3-5 Eur (laughing price). I made bids for them, but nobody else did... till the end of auction - when seconds to minutes someone made bids for all of them.. I didnt get paintings, but someone did, and i guess it just might be, that gallerie itself bought them back.. Even if not so, putting price 3-5 eur and spreading bad reputation for artist and art is a funny thing to do for a gallerist. Why? Safe way?
While at the same time - younger generation, those who were not infected with this mentioned attitude, appreciate art he makes, there are numerous collectors of his artwork now. One of mayor gallerists in Riga (gallery Jekabs) has been buying his art for a period of 10 or more years now. Some other have 5-10 of his paintings for sale. Antique shops also have some. I bought my first Zaikins painting in 2007, since then I have been buying from him. I love his art, he himself in his 70s is still full of bursting energy and painting constantly. He is a painter, creating art for more than 40 years. His style is distiguishable and motifs original. Lets appreciate that and be brave like him.
Ivars Zaikins, born 1942, painter, painting Space Mysteries, Japanese Woman (Geisha), Eyes and Birds and Creatures In Space using his own developed techinque of mixing colors and splashes of color. For over 40 years he has been making art constantly. His permanence of creation is remarkable. His artwork is unique in its style, motif, and number.
In beginning of his art-career he was recognized artist in most common ways. He was exhibiting in shows all over ex Soviet Union, Moscow, St.Petersburgh (Leningrad), Odessa, Tallin, Riga, working together with some of top artist of his generation and as a decorator in most of stages in Riga (Opera, National Theatre, Youth Theatre, theatre Daile and list goes on). He was nominee of communist premium twice (or three??) times.
During 90`s in Latvia, when country seceded from Soviet Union (together with Baltic States), Zaikins was excomunicated from local art community due to his reputation of being relic to Soviet Union regime. Like a Jesus from art world, he was put down, while at the same time same “art-people” bowed to ex Soviet officials who were now rich, in high ranks, owners, officials, politicians etc. There are rumours about most of professors of academies, high schools, scientists, officials, any other high position etc were cooperating with KGB that time, and most of public figures also, and most any other “someone” at that time - cooperated with state.
Who knows how this mistrust came into being, but “art people” were keen and comfortable of loading their hate and dismissal to this artist and his work later on. Mobbing went on and Zaikins was blamed for everything, his art was not developing, he had ruined his family life, he lead a messy way of life and on and on. Mostly evaluating his personality, lifestyle and reputation, not his art.
Still today you can go and talk to some gallerists or art historians about Zaikin to hear this echo of hate speech.
From this time on he went underground and his art was appreciated by his personal circle of supporters.
Information / reputation sensitive community of art became aware of Ivars Zaikins as an outcast and for a period of 15 -20 years there was nobody in Riga/Latvia art community who would say or do anything in favour of this artist. Nobody dared to favour Zaikin, because “serious people” think of him like that! And not to risk with own reputation, most art people, who considered themselves “serious” didnt “mess” with him, and generated more negative information about him, which was considered to be “right way” and justifiable, safe, wise. I have noticed that gallerie Antonia made effort to push down prices and reputation of Zaikins paintings - py putting into auction 5-7 pieces, pricing each 3-5 Eur (laughing price). I made bids for them, but nobody else did... till the end of auction - when seconds to minutes someone made bids for all of them.. I didnt get paintings, but someone did, and i guess it just might be, that gallerie itself bought them back.. Even if not so, putting price 3-5 eur and spreading bad reputation for artist and art is a funny thing to do for a gallerist. Why? Safe way?
While at the same time - younger generation, those who were not infected with this mentioned attitude, appreciate art he makes, there are numerous collectors of his artwork now. One of mayor gallerists in Riga (gallery Jekabs) has been buying his art for a period of 10 or more years now. Some other have 5-10 of his paintings for sale. Antique shops also have some. I bought my first Zaikins painting in 2007, since then I have been buying from him. I love his art, he himself in his 70s is still full of bursting energy and painting constantly. He is a painter, creating art for more than 40 years. His style is distiguishable and motifs original. Lets appreciate that and be brave like him.