Reality in Close-up

Exhibition Līga Purmale. The Garden of Past Pleasures

Following her photorealist period (1973-1976), Līga Purmale paints in nature and documents her immediate environment. These are close-ups of her surroundings – interior elements and garden fragments. In these works, with utmost sensitivity, the artist studies the material world, plants, times of the day, and seasons. The works represent seemingly restrained yet emotionally observant, casually framed views that simultaneously strive towards the documentation of reality and intimacy. She draws attention to the role of everyday objects in our lives. While her works mostly centered on the human being during the photorealist period, in capturing these close-ups of reality, the human remains outside the frame. Its presence is discernible, but the human being is not at the centre.