"Kaleidoscope"
Exhibition "Kaleidoscope" organized by the gallery "Art Platz" features 40 paintings by the renowned Latvian artist Herberts Ernests Silins (1926-2001). Some of the exhibited work is reproduced and can be found in many literature sources. The images of H. Silins resemble colourful collages altering different kinds of emotions. Creative work gives evidence of the artist's vitality outburst and a lot of energy can be passed to the observer. Silins' contribution to the Latvian art scene has been priceless with the courage to lead his own way. He truly was a unique master.
Silins' painting subjects are very close to Latvian traditional identity. In his provincial landscapes, one can sense warm and cosy attitude towards childhood town. The expressiveness of the sea is achieved by using a rough brushstroke, which reminds one of wind gust or billowing waves. Boat sails are like sharp claws aimed towards the sky. Spring season landscapes are coloured in pastel tones, giving a soothing feeling of blossom vibrating in the air. Silent nature paintings depict rural objects - wildflowers, pottery and fruits picked up in the orchard. Silins' paintings radiate optimism.
Herberts Silins was a renowned Latvian painter born in Tukums. He worked using oil painting and watercolor techniques. His painting genre was mostly landscapes, especially motives like sea, cities and nature. Most of his lifetime Silins spent in the cities, however the heart had always remained loyal to his rural hometown - Kurzeme. Even though Silins started with bright colours, in the beginning of his artistic journey the chromatic spectrum was rather sombre. He went to Esslingen Latvian Art school in Germany, but most of the skill was acquired through self-education by studying art literature available to him at that time.
Over time various tendencies and elements have diffused throughout his artwork. Nevertheless, saturation, brightness and vibrancy have remained unaltered. The paintings of Herberts Ernests Silins fascinate with rhythm and dynamic. Some paintings reveal the artist's emotional flow, while others are defining forms. Therefore, his work gives an impression of a moment flashing by, which had to be spread on the surface of canvas.