Latvia can be proud of many skilful artists and one of the most brilliant is printmaker Nele Zirnite (b. 1959.). She has been placed also between the world’s best printmakers in the edition of The Best of Printmaking: An International Collection (Selected by Lynne Allen and Phyllis Mc Gibbon with an introduction by Ruth Weisberg, Rockport Publishers, Quarry Books, 1997.). Because of the very high level of technique and craftsmanship she have had reached a notice success among both Latvian (and the Baltic countries too), and the world graphic artists.

N. Zirnite is placed in the extend professor’s senate in arts and history of art in Latvian Art Academy, and since 21-th of August Year 2003 she is associated professor in Latvian Christian Academy.
 
 
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The main role in Nele Zirnite’s works plays relation ships between man and nature that could be seen from different point of views because man, who is a small part of nature and inwrought with it, sometimes doesn’t unconscious of it by himself. Images that artist are using in works comes from her previous artistic experience and skills in academic portrait drawing field during her study years in Lithuania. On a very high importance are skills relates with etching technique that Nele manages brilliantly. She have worked hard and made several experiments in this field (and still does) to require something new and interesting. As her favourite printmaking technique Nele have found etching where during many years artist have developed her artistic handwriting. Although etching is considered to be one of most difficult printmaking techniques, Nele in every stage is working by herself devoting her attention especially to details and filigree parts in works.
Nele Zirnite is still continuing both experiments and checking out the possibilities of etching technique, and by cutting out different shapes of zinc-plate to realize her complex artistic ideas. Nele’s fantastic creative imagery and surrealistic images she is using in her works can be notice as magical realism. Artistic language she is using, is full of images that are not just fantasies but some kind of symbols that are important for artist self and comes from her subconsciousness. There are magical space in Nele’s works that seems to be some mystical world with own rules and lies somewhere between reality and mystery.Art Historian Eva Lizıbovska

S T A T I S T I C S

2003 Associate Professor, Art Department, Latvian Christian Academy
2000 M.F.A., Latvian Art Academy
1995 – 2003 Lecturer, Graphic Arts Department, Latvian Art Academy
1988 – present Member, Latvian Artists Union
1984 B.F.A., Latvian Art Academy
1959 Born in Lithuania

Selected Awards

2007 – 1. Prize, IX „Josep de Ribera”International Biennal of Engraving, Xativa 2007”, Spain, Valensia
2005 – Grand Prix Biennial of small graphics, GRAFIX, Breclav, Czechia
2003 – Award and Prize - Professional performing in 6.th exhibition of Small forms of Art, Gallery Riga, Latvia
1998 – Prize, Riga in Contemporary Art, Bastejs Gallery, Riga, Latvia
1998 – Grand prize award, Miniature Art, R. Vitols, Valmiera, Latvia
1997 – Riga City Council Award, Riga in Contemporary Art, Riga, Latvia
1997 – Award of Distinction, the Best in Printmaking, Rockport Publishers, Gloucester, MA, USA
1992 – Prize and Diploma, 9th Graphic Triennial, Tallinn, Estonia
1987 – Second Prize, Roads and People, Smiltene, Latvia
1987 – Diploma, 13th Graphic Art Exhibition, Riga, Latvia
1987 – Special Prize, Miniature Graphic Triennial, Riga, Latvia
1984 – Award, Best Drawing Artist of the Year, Vilnius Art Institute, Lithuania

Contact Nele Zirnite: nele@hotstop.lv

 Permanent public collections including

Amire Art Centre, Tophane/Istambul, Turkai
Monroe County Community College, MI, USA
Municipal Art Gallery in Lodz, Poland
University of Arizona Museum of Art, USA
Art Foundation, Moscow, Russia
Eksjo Museum, Eksjo, Sweden
Alma Lov Museum, Ostra Amtervik, Sweden
Cremona Civic Museum, Collezione Internazionale Della Grafica, Cremona, Italy
Arsenals Art Museum, Riga, Latvia
Valka Regional Museum, Valka, Latvi

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2007 – Art Gallery of Mary Olla Miller, Panama City, FL, USA
2006 – NEXUS, Gallery ARTima, Vilnius, Lithuania
2005 – NEXUS, Ciurlionis Art Gallery, Chikago, USA
2004 – Graphic, Gallery BAS, Naperville, USA
2003 – Nele Zirnite: Gravure a l’eau forte, Paloma Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
– Etchings by Nele Zirnite, Monroe County Community College Library, Monroe, MI, USA
2001 – Traces of the Wings, Ivonna Veiherte Gallery, Riga, Latvia
2000 – Art Gallery of Mary Olla Miller, Panama City, FL, USA
1999 – Flowers, Bastejs Gallery, Riga, Latvia
– Carriers, Rigas Gallery, Riga Latvia
1998 – Dragons Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
1997 – Alten Post Gallery, Westerland-Sylt, Germany
– Leaf, Lapa Gallery, Riga, Latvia
1996 – Turner Carroll Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, USA
1995 – Clique Gallery, Royal Oak, MI, USA
– Riga Gallery, Riga, Latvia
1993 – Change, Turner Carroll Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, USA
1991 – Ciurlionis Art Gallery, Chicago, IL, USA
1989 – Nele Zirnite. Graphics - House of Knowledge, Riga, Latvia
1986 – Latvian Council of Ministers, Riga, Latvia

Selected Group Exhibitions

2007
– Biennial of small graphic Forms, Breclav, Czehia
– IX „Josep de Ribera”International Biennal of Engraving, Xativa 2007”, Spain, Valensia, Xativa
– International Graphic Art Festival, Sanktpeterburg, Russia
– Autumn 2007, Central Post, Riga, Latvia
– 14 th International Graphic Biennal, Varna, Bugaria
– 5th International Trenial of Small Graphic Forms, Vilnius, Lithuania

2006
– II International Printmaking Exhibition – Amire Art Centre, Tophane/Istambul, Turkai
– Confined transfer – Gallery “Manss”, Je¯kabpils, Latvia
– Autumn 2006, Latvian Railway History museum, Riga, Latvia
– Print Exhibition of Latvia – Ebeling Museum in Torshalle, Sweden
– Cup of Peace – international project – Gallery of Russian Embassy, Helsinki, Finland
– Parallel – Gallery “Ledus pagrabs”, Valmiera, Latvia
– Autumn 2005, Artist union of Latvia Gallery, Riga, Latvia
– Reflektion of Light – Regional Museum of Liepa¯ja, Latvia

2005
– Abstractive Art – Gallery Riga, Latvia
– Camera of Graphic traveling – Gallery “Me¯tra”, Aizpute, Latvia
– Walking On Water, University of the Arts Pennsylvania, USA
– Walking On Water, Tower Fine Arts Gallery at Brockport, New York, USA
– Walking On Water, University of the Arts Philadelphia, USA
– Biennial of small graphic Forms, Breclav, Czehia
– 12th international exhibition Small Graphic Forms Poland, Lodz

2004
– Autumn 2002 Exhibition Arsenals Art Museum, Riga, Latvia
– “Cameo” – Gallery “Art Garden”, Riga, Latvia
– 5th International Trenial of Small Graphic Forms, Vilnius, Lithuania

2003
– Pressin’ On, ThirdStone Gallery, Saugatuck, MI, USA
– 6th Miniature Graphics Triennial, Chemalier, France
– Evening Stories, Putninas Gallery, Riga, Latvia
– 6th Miniature Art Show, Riga Gallery, Riga, Latvia
– Printmaking: Art Days 2003, Saint Peter’s Cathedral, Riga, Latvia
– Fresh Juice – Featuring New Artists, ThirdStone Gallery, Saugatuck, MI, USA

2002
The 12th Space International Print Biennial, Seoul, Sungkok Museum, Seoul, Korea
Printmaking: Tradition & Innovation, Biddle Gallery, Wyandotte, MI, USA
VII Biennial of Baltic Graphics, Kaliningrad – Koeningsberg, Russia
Living Faces in Japan 2001+1, Suzaka Hanga Museum, Japan
Small Graphic Forms, Lodz, Poland
Autumn 2002 Exhibition, Arsenals Art Museum, Riga, Latvia

2001
Prints of Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia & Japan, Gallery Comunika, Tokyo, Japan
Miniprint Finland 2001, Lahti Art Museum, Lahti, Finland
4th International Triennial of Small Graphic Forms, Vilnius, Lithuania
International Small Engraving Exhibition, Cremona, Italy
Under the Roof, Mecendorf House, Riga, Latvia
The Graphic Face, Rigas Gallery, Riga, Latvia
Small Art Form Exhibition, Rigas Gallery, Riga, Latvia

2000
Graphics, Turner Carroll Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, USA
Triennial Mondiale d’Estampes Petit Format, Chamalieres, France
Premio Internationale per l’Incisione, Bella, Italy
Gallery Laipa, Valmiera, Latvia
Autumn 2000 Exhibition, Arsenals Art Museum, Riga, Latvia
The Spring Show, Vernisage Hall, Riga, Latvia
Plane Conquerers, Artists Union of Latvia Gallery, Riga, Latvia

1999
5th International Drawing & Graphic Art Exhibition, Gyor, Hungary
10th International Print Biennial, Varna, Bulgaria
Who I Am, Grippen Gallery, Karlstadt, Sweden
International Print Triennial, Museum of Modern Art, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Nele Zirnite & Grafikas Kamera, Cultural Center Caisa, Helsinki, Finland
50 Prints, Reitern House, Riga, Latvia
Still Life, Artists Union of Latvia Gallery, Riga, Latvia
International Print Triennial 100 Cities, Krakow, Serock, Poland
4a Rassengna Nazionale Della Calogrfaia Contemporanea Bianco & Nero, Provincia di Ragua, Italia

1998
2nd World Wide Latvian Art Exhibition, State Museum of Art, Riga, Latvia*
Harmony, Latvian Art Exhibit, Tel Aviv, Israel
Statement on Human Rights, Namur, Belgium
International Miniature Graphic Triennial, Lahti, Finland
International Biennial of Small Graphic Forms, Vilnius, Lithuania
Latvian Contemporary Art, Maison du Danemark, Paris, France*
Water Bar, Melnais Balodis Gallery, Riga, Latvia
Kolumbary, Melnais Balodis Gallery, Riga, Latvia
Riga in Contemporary Art, Bastejs Gallery, Riga, Latvia
Miniart Exhibition, Valmiera Museum of Local Studies and Art, Valmiera, Latvia
Still Life, Artists Union Gallery, Riga, Latvia
Autumn ’98, Arsenals Art Museum, Riga, Latvia
International Print Triennial MTG ’97, Krakow–Nurmburg Fair Centre, Nurmberg, Germany
100 Cities International Print Triennial, Krakow; Park & Castle Complex “Stary Zamej”, Zywec, Poland
Orzel Pialy Memorial Museum Skazhysko, Kamienna, Poland

1997
Latvian Contemporary Art, Salle d’Aubette, Strasbourg, France*
Still Life, Artists Union Gallery, Riga, Latvia
Autumn ’97, Arsenals Art Museum, Riga, Latvia
MTG 97 International Print Exhibition, Krakow, Poland
Young Latvian Graphic Artists, Estonian National Library, Tallinn, Estonia
Riga in Contemporary Art, Bastejs Gallery, Riga, Latvia
100 Cities International Print Triennial MTG 97, Krakow, Poland, Municipality Gallery Swidnica
100 Cities International Print Triennial MTG 97, Main Exhibition Bunker Stuki and Krakow Museum of History, Krakow, Poland
100 Cities International Print Triennial MTG 97, Minitriennia - Krakow, Continents, Art Gallery BWA, Jelenia Gora, Poland

1996
The 8th Annual international Print Biennial, Varna, Bulgaria*
Norgrafia Prints Exhibition, Gottland, Sweden
Autumn ’97, Arsenals Art Museum, Riga, Latvia
2nd International Miniprint Biennial, Arka Gallery, Vilnius, Lithuania

1995
Minigraphic Triennial, Chemalier, France*
Draakoni Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia

1994
5 Women Surrealists, Turner Carroll Gallery, Sante Fe, NM, USA
Latvian Art Exhibition, Karlskog, Sweden
Snieds by Kontakt, Ostra Amtervik, Sweden
Grippen Gallery, Karlstadt, Sweden
Arvik Art Hall, Arvik, Sweden
International Art Exhibition, Solentuna, Sweden
Latvian Art Exhibition, Oland, Sweden

1993
Small Form Grafic, Willa Art Gallery, Lodz, Poland
Young Latvian Artists, Museum of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia

1992
Graphic Art Triennial, Liljevalch Exhibition Hall, Stockholm, Sweden
9th Tallinn Graphic Triennial, Tallinn, Estonia
Latvian Art Exhibition, Alovus, Finland

1991
Minigraphic Triennial, Chamalieres, France*
Small Form Graphic, Lodz, Poland
3rd Riga Minigraphic Triennial, Exhibition Hall Latvija, Riga, Latvia

1990
Baltisk Graphic (Baltic Graphic Art), Stockholm, Sweden
6 Graphic Artists from Latvia, Tholmen Gallery, Oslo, Norway
Latvian Art Exhibition, Alovus, Finland

1989
8th Tallinn Graphic Triennial, Tallinn, Estonia
Lettisk Grafik (Latvian Graphic Art), Central Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark
Latvian Art Exhibition, Alovus, Finland

1988
Jaunyst ’88, Central Exhibition Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark

1987
Young Artists’ Exhibition, Exhibition Hall Latvija, Riga, Latvia
Mini Print Exhibition, Valmiera Concert Hall, Valmiera, Latvia
2nd Riga Minigraphic Triennial, Exhibition Hall Latvija, Riga, Latvia
Autumn 87, Exhibition Hall Latvija, Riga, Latvia
Roads and People, Smiltene Exhibition Hall, Smiltene, Latvia
Young Artists’ Exhibition, Moscow, Russia

1986
Graphic Art Exhibition, Exhibition Hall Latvija, Riga, Latvia
He and She, Science House, Riga, Latvia
Autumn 86, Exhibition Hall Latvija, Riga, Latvia
Grotesque in Art, Science House, Riga, Latvia

1985
Minigraphic Exhibition, Exhibition Hall Latvija, Riga, Latvia
Theater Thema in Art, Theater Museum, Riga, Latvia
Artists for Peace, State Museum of Art, Riga, Latvia
Grotesque in Art, Science House, Riga, Latvia

1983
Young Artists’ Exhibition, Exhibition Hall Latvija, Riga, Latvia

1982
Autumn 82, Exhibition Hall Latvija, Riga, Latvia

*catalogue

 

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