Gringuts
I am Latvian who is living in Scotland since 2008. For nearly ten years I was working heavy labour jobs in farms and factories. In 2012, along with the day job, I took an animation course in Dundee and Angus College. During this course, I realised that my calling is art and a dream to one day study art was born. In 2017, at age 37, I left job and took a portfolio course at Glasgow Clyde College. In 2018 started BA Fine Art course at DJCAD, specializing in photography. I graduated course on summer 2021 with 1st class degree.
Artist: Gringuts
Based in Glasgow, Scotland
Instagram:
gringuts
Culturally Arts Collective features:
"Beyond the Veil", April 8th-May 20 2022, Milostka Center for Exhibitions
What do you aim to say by the themes in your art?
In my work I reflect on suffering in human life. Suffering caused by inconsistency and complexity caused by contemporary life. Through centuries cultures, traditions, religions have provided humanity with meaning and purpose for suffering. In these days there is confusion as we are surrounded by many truths, many understandings of good and evil. My work is a search for meaning and purpose of suffering in contemporary world.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Inspiration mostly comes from life and personal experiences.
Do you have any experiences that have impacted your art?
My life has been full with various shifts in the external conditions. I have experienced changes of mutually conflicting political and economic regimes as well as systems of beliefs and values. As a result almost everything in my mind and soul exists on the border of its opposite causing internal conflicts. These conflicts form the angle I see the world and society through. My works tries to correlate personal experience with global processes.
Do you feel your art challenges existing barriers?
I challenge the concept of ideology as such. The contemporary society is split between left and right leaning ideologies which cause a big divide. My family and I have lived through the Soviet ideology and I have seen with my own eyes the harm that an ideological world view can cause.
What are your long-term artistic goals?
I am not sure yet. I graduated art school less than a year ago and still stumbling in the dark trying to navigate myself into art world. All I know is that I want to create art.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
Do not get caught up in ideologies or anything else resembling a “formula” for how to be, do and create. Do everything you can to keep your own unique perspective and believe in personal ideals. Just a little bit of faith can last long.