Stars:  the modern phenomenon of people who everyone tend to be interested in. 

They are the subject for the press films and television programs. Their each 

step is followed by reporters, every gesture and movement is of interest 

for the crowd. 

Yellow press writes about them every day. The people on 

Ivanovs paitings also feature in respectable TIME magazine, 

namely, in 2010, 10th May issue, pop diva Lady Gaga was selected to be one 

of the most influential 100 people of the world together with Bill Clinton. 



Politicians, musicians, movie actors and sportsmen do get the crowds' 

unquenchable passion and curiosity, they are the audiences favorite fetish and 

most hated personalities. 



Ritums Ivanovs has been focusing on exploring of the theme of stars

since his 2004 series of works Trade Mark Beauty, when for the first time 

he portrayed the faces of stars like Marilyn Monroe, Pamela Anderson, etc.

The continuation of his research can be now seen in the current series 

STARS. LIGHTS ON. at Riga Gallery. 

Michael Jackson and Amy Winehouse have been the favourites of world press 

and public audience, they have also been on top of the list of negative/positive 

heroes, the fact of which interests Ivanovs.

As compared to the series Trade Mark Beauty, where Ritums 

Ivanovs dealt with the analysis of the power of beauty that was also reflected in 

his posh and refined style of painting, we can now see the changes in his 

handwriting. At his newest exhibition that opens Thursday the 20th, he 

shall show a more expressive form, figural portraits and the disharmony of the 

beautiful and the ugly.

On the first floor of the gallery you shall see six new large format paintings with 

expressive images of Madonna, Michael Jackson, and others, and on the 

second floor we will exhibit a selected collection of Ivanovs' previous shows 

to show the origins of his painting style (images of Johnny Depp, Brigitte 

Anne-Marie Bardot etc.).

Ritums Ivanovs (born 1968) is one of the most popular Latvian new generation 

painters. After graduating from Latvian Art Academy (1994) he studied 1 year 

at the prestigious Humboldt University in the United States.

In his work he combines the characteristic accurate portrayal of reality with his 

own technique, the "stripe technology" and his works go on very large format 

canvases (145 x 250 cm, "She is sleeping" up to 145 x 250 cm). Working 

on ideas for paintings, the artist uses photo camera, but the painting itself is hand 

made.

Ritums Ivanovs work has the central theme of human emotions, different 

emotional states. His characters are both the members of real life, from already 

existing printed materials like art history books (one-man show "Heroes"), 

from show business industry promotional photographs (Depeche Mode 

members' portraits), and even from erotic magazines (solo show "Erotic Film").

Fresh paintings from Ritums Ivanovs, new series STARS. LIGHTS ON. 

opening May 20 at Riga Gallery

Exhibition curator – Inese Riņķe

Ritums Ivanovs is represented by Riga Gallery