Apocalypse – yesterday, today, tomorrow. Dmitry Lavrentjev knows exactly what he is doing and what he wants to say. The statement is, naturally, non–verbal, and its articulation presupposes creative participation by the viewer. The paintings themselves call for multiple, purely personal interpretations. Thus, the perceptual cloud endlessly expands the ideas laid down by the artist. In the artist’s solo exhibition "Apocalypse", in this collection of works, one can discern quiet sorrow, a muffled cry of despair and warning, prophetic notes, and neutral philosophical reflections which accept the present reality. The collection of artwork suggests seeing the substance of time from the highest point of view, for which everything past and future is stretched on the scale of eternity presently. And so any moment of life, death, what precedes it, and what follows it is equal to the greatness of the absolute, and only flashes of transgressiveness can reveal the divine essence of being.
Dmitry Rancev, film-critic
The images, motifs, actions, and characters found in the works of Dmitry Lavrentjev have formed the consciousness, subconsciousness, and unconsciousness of humanity for centuries. The artist invites us to dive into the depths of human thoughts and beliefs, exploring the boundaries of our collective consciousness. Whether it is the polymath of the Renaissance Leonardo da Vinci, an altar painting of the Black Madonna, Picasso's Rose Period painting of the „Girl on a Ball“, or the schism of religion, in Dmitry Lavrentjev’s art, we find a fusion of these different narratives that transcends the formal boundaries of the artwork and is at the same time a catalyst for introspection and dialog in our continuous wandering through human existence. The artist boldly, honestly, and personally expresses emotions in his works and, as if in a philosophical discourse, raises questions about such metaphysical topics as God, Time, Space, Being, and Primitiveness. The symbolism of the four heralds of the Apocalypse – Conquest, War, Hunger, and Death – functions as a means for a broad spiritual reflection of the world order and human nature and allows us to perceive the Apocalypse as a manifestation of the highest transcendence.
Dmitry Lavrentjev’s artwork includes a broad spectrum of visual art, such as painting, collages, sculpture, lithography, painted ceramics, and short films. The artist has a special attitude toward the art of the second half of the 20th century, which itself is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and expression. His artwork is characterized by extraordinary eccentricity, vibrant colors, and emotionality. Sharp and well-defined lines, careless and seemingly distorted shapes are the main elements that define his unique creative style. His paintings are lively and sensually represent the power of life, expressed in the pulsating vibrancy of color, picturesque texture, and dynamic brushstrokes. The main feature of the works is freedom of expression and proof of the author's brave and unconventional approach. The art of Dmitry Lavrentjev, with its symbolic content and archetypal images, is an invitation to lift the veil over everyday life and plunge into the depths of the human soul, to touch the mystical and sacral facets of existence.
Working with Dmitry Lavrentjev is always an amazing and fascinating experience, with a flow of new ideas and new perspectives. Each exhibition is like a creative cloud in which the conventional boundaries of art are broken, and each work gives rise to an exciting dialog between tradition and the avant-garde that continues beyond the walls of the gallery. The artist's work expresses a strong and overarching connection between the person, society, and global events, suggesting a wide understanding of art as a universal form of expression.
Biruta Aurina, Mg. art.
Self-taught artist Dmitry Lavrentjev (1970) lives and works in Riga. He had his first solo exhibition at the age of 25. Since 1995, he has organized 26 solo exhibitions and participated in more than 100 group shows in Latvia, France, Russia, Germany, Belarus, and Estonia. His artworks are in private collections in Latvia, Germany, the UK, Russia, Norway, the Netherlands, the USA, Poland, New Zealand, Denmark, Sweden, and China. His works are in public collections at the Minsk Centre of Modern and Contemporary Art (Minsk, Belarus), the Vitebsk Museum of Modern Art (Vitebsk, Belarus), and the Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre (Daugavpils, Latvia).