Jānis Avotiņš

Whilst Jānis Avotiņš’s diverse world of images is representational and figurative, it often contains human figures that defy definition in terms of past, present or future, figures that traverse vast expanses of colour, far removed from all reference to reality. This Latvian painter’s latest series of works feature imaginary portraits of people seemingly locked in a process of coming to terms with the past. They are mainly double portraits of men gazing emptily into space, their facial expressions serious and emotionless.  They are inconspicuous, respectably dressed, obviously sad and totally divorced from reality. Indeed, they exude a deep melancholy. Appropriately reduced in contrast and brilliance is the spectrum of thinly applied colours. While the flesh colour of the portraitees stands out, the remaining parts of them seem to melt into the background.