From 9 July till 11 August 2021 at the ISSP Gallery in Riga (Berga bazārs, Marijas Street 13 k. 3) the solo exhibition “Looking Forward to Meet Me” by the winner of Riga Photography Biennale – NEXT and ISSP Gallery competition “Seeking the latest in photography!” award, the young Lithuanian artist Visvaldas Morkevičius is open.
This project is created in the form of (narcissistic) introspection, it is a self-analysis of the artist transformed into visual and spatial work. The title of the project “Looking Forward to Meet Me” projects a moment in the future, an expected meeting with oneself. The collection of the project works also includes a self-portrait of Morkevičius, however, this photograph is barely visible as it is framed under coloured glass. This project is a portrait in its “creation process” and uses well-known symbols in art history, the tropics borrowed from classical mythology, psychoanalytic interpretations and personal memories.
Some visual elements are quite figurative, while other images approach abstraction. Thus, the project is a collage of innumerable associative connections that challenge the usual boundaries of portrait as a form of representation. “Looking Forward to Meet Me” counteracts the canonical notion of “objective resemblance”, which defines the genre of portraits, instead diving into the process of self-knowledge, recognition, and understanding.
The jury of “Looking for the new in photography!” substantiates its choice as follows: “The work “Looking Forward to Meet Me” by Morkevičius is a playful interpretation of self-analysis, created with great creativity. His creative work balances on the border of photography, brilliantly combining different media. With the help of various materials, Morkevičius creates a multi-layered visual scenario in which the viewer is invited not only to read the author’s portrait, but also to look for one’s own. The project, which has been developed in recent months, focuses on self-discovery, introspection and self-acceptance, reflecting the social and cultural challenges of today.”
Morkevičius also received the VVFoundation award – an opportunity to participate in the PAiR residence in Pāvilosta.
Riga Photography Biennale – NEXT award is presented to young artists of the Baltic States for the fourth time. The goal of the award is to discover and appreciate young artists, who demonstrate the power of image in their works, offer an original, contemporary view and conceptual depth. RPB – NEXT is also willing to provide the young artists, who are starting their creative search in photography or related media, the opportunity to present themselves to wider audience.
