Liene Mackus
Exchange Program
Liene Mackus, a Latvia-based artist, studied sculpture at the Art Academy of Latvia (MA) and the Academy of Fine Arts in Palermo, Italy. Since 2009, the artist has participated in exhibitions in Latvia and across Europe.
Mackus is known for her work in sculpture, installation art, and plasticine animation, which she refers to as "moving sculpture." Her art often delves into social themes, approached with a sense of detachment and profound, unconditional love.
She is also a nominee for the Purvītis Prize and the creator of extraordinary environmental art objects in Riga, including the bench Riga’s Lion (2015) and the playground Labyrinth (2017).
Her most recent art projects have focused on nature, exploring both landscapes in the broadest sense and near-objects from a sculptor's perspective. This theme is becoming increasingly central to her work, reflecting the growing ecological awareness and premonitions of ecological catastrophe that also occupy Mackus's mind.
Liene Mackus on "Garden notes. Kachreti":
"The residency project is closely related to my interest in exploring and delving into natural forms, getting acquainted with walnuts, tree leaves, jujube berries, half-ripe olive dye and various seeds found in the extensive garden of the residency. I am interested in the reason why some of the fruits is cracked, green, red or brown. What conditions have they grown and been cared for in, involving both literal care for plants and ecosystems and metaphorical and symbolic meanings of caring for someone with compassion, understanding and empathy.
I focus on the study of forms and textures, but it would be equally interesting to delve into the traditions of plant care and ritual practices, healing, where plants are used. Seeds for me mean new beginnings, hidden knowledge and an incredible power to grow.
These found garden artifacts depicted in drawings remind me of a connection either to my own body, to the stories of people I have met or just to childishly long observations of how the round shape of a fruit is formed.
For example, one morning I saw two pomegranates on my desk that reminded me of two breasts, Drawing them I remembered my friend telling me about her nipples that were sore from feeding her newborn baby. The pomegranate was red and cracked, and round.
Mackus is known for her work in sculpture, installation art, and plasticine animation, which she refers to as "moving sculpture." Her art often delves into social themes, approached with a sense of detachment and profound, unconditional love.
She is also a nominee for the Purvītis Prize and the creator of extraordinary environmental art objects in Riga, including the bench Riga’s Lion (2015) and the playground Labyrinth (2017).
Her most recent art projects have focused on nature, exploring both landscapes in the broadest sense and near-objects from a sculptor's perspective. This theme is becoming increasingly central to her work, reflecting the growing ecological awareness and premonitions of ecological catastrophe that also occupy Mackus's mind.
Liene Mackus on "Garden notes. Kachreti":
"The residency project is closely related to my interest in exploring and delving into natural forms, getting acquainted with walnuts, tree leaves, jujube berries, half-ripe olive dye and various seeds found in the extensive garden of the residency. I am interested in the reason why some of the fruits is cracked, green, red or brown. What conditions have they grown and been cared for in, involving both literal care for plants and ecosystems and metaphorical and symbolic meanings of caring for someone with compassion, understanding and empathy.
I focus on the study of forms and textures, but it would be equally interesting to delve into the traditions of plant care and ritual practices, healing, where plants are used. Seeds for me mean new beginnings, hidden knowledge and an incredible power to grow.
These found garden artifacts depicted in drawings remind me of a connection either to my own body, to the stories of people I have met or just to childishly long observations of how the round shape of a fruit is formed.
For example, one morning I saw two pomegranates on my desk that reminded me of two breasts, Drawing them I remembered my friend telling me about her nipples that were sore from feeding her newborn baby. The pomegranate was red and cracked, and round.