Paulis Liepa (b. 1978) is one of the most well-known Latvian graphic artists with a vivid and recognizable individual style. Art historian and curator Līga Lindenbauma, the author of the book, has analysed the creative work of Paulis Liepa, drawing parallels between the artist’s studio and the realm of objects depicted in his prints.
Life is not a story about reaching the destination, but about the journey itself, the process. The great thing about “Project ‘Life’” is that I can do anything whatsoever, but, amazingly, it all goes together. This is a very individual kind of romanticism, a world influenced by details, by momentary impressions. A tear-off calendar that has been torn away up to a particular date, so that it concentrates history up to the next page not yet torn off. The truth is that any person’s life story is 100 times more valuable and profound than the most refined fictional plot. The works, too, are seemingly about small things, but they’re also about the capacity for small things to become concentrated. Insignificant details may be summed and can have equal weight with much more important things. Tea leaves swirling in a cup, or sunlight sliding across the windowsill are just as timeless and endless as they are physical and momentary.
Paulis Liepa
Paulis Liepa has studied graphic art at the Art Academy of Latvia. In his work he mainly exploits the techniques of colography and cardboard print. Paulis has regularly participated in print exhibitions, has held several solo shows. He has received significant awards, among them Award of the Year in Culture of the newspaper Diena (2013), Grand Prix at the print exhibition “Grafika-S” (2014), Grand Prix at the International Graphic Art Biennial of the Baltic Sea Countries in Kaliningrad, Russia (2008), prize at the International Graphic Art Triennial in Cracow, Poland (2012) etc. The artist’s works are held in private collections as well as in the collection of the future Latvian Contemporary Art Museum. In parallel to prints Paulis Liepa works in book design, illustrations and animations.
"Studija Library” is a series of books providing a comprehensive insight into the Latvian art scene of the turn of the 21st century. Each book includes a basic text, an interview, a selection of images as well as full translation into English. The first book of the series was published in 2008.