Gallery Late – Exhibition “Under Pressure”

The exhibition “Under Pressure” brings together works by students of the Graphics Department of the Art Academy of Latvia, offering insight into the practices of emerging artists. The exhibition includes both bachelor’s and master’s level works created over the past year as part of the study process.

The title “Under Pressure” refers to the technical process of printmaking, where the matrix is literally subjected to pressure, while also pointing to the state in which the artists themselves exist — between formation and public exposure. It invites a broader reflection: what is formed under this pressure, what kinds of forms, images, or meanings emerge from it — both on a personal and a contemporary level.

“Under Pressure” highlights the diversity and flexibility of printmaking as a medium, while raising questions about the relationship between tradition and experimentation in contemporary art. The exhibition provides an overview of what is currently happening in printmaking studies and how the younger generation interprets and expands classical techniques in today’s context.

The works have previously been featured in student exhibitions and were selected under the guidance of the Graphics Department faculty and its head, Guntars Sietiņš. The participating artists have collaboratively developed the exhibition concept and realized it at Gallery LOOK, creating a focused and technically diverse display.

The exhibition features a variety of printmaking techniques — linocut, etching, aquatint, mezzotint, drypoint, screen printing, and mixed media approaches. The works reveal a wide spectrum of thematic explorations, highlighting both personal and contemporary ideas.

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About gallery

LOOK! Gallery is a contemporary visual art space in Riga that provides a regular programme of professional exhibitions and publicly accessible cultural content. The gallery focuses on supporting emerging and mid-career artists, collaborating with the Art Academy of Latvia and fostering the professional development of artists.  The programme includes solo exhibitions, group shows, and interdisciplinary projects, covering a wide range of media such as painting, photography, graphics, textile, and installation. The gallery is actively engaged in the international art scene, including participation in art fairs and collaboration with international partners.  LOOK! Gallery operates as an open cultural space, offering free access to exhibitions and encouraging public engagement with contemporary art.