Āris Segliņš is one of Latvia’s most prominent contemporary designers who remains faithful to porcelain. He draws inspiration from the century-long legacy of the Russian avant-garde, Bauhaus, deStijl and related movements. His artistic style consistently emphasises purity of form, object functionality, as well as formal geometry and its associated conceptual, minimalist decor.

Āris’ newest works are envisaged as consumer objects for specific needs in accordance with demand. “The fundamental formal basis is the square, which is subject to division, subtraction, addition and rotation (creating a circle). This type of form has left its mark on architecture, art and, in my creative practice, on handicrafts and design,” says the artist.

Āris previously addressed the question of the separation or connection between art and design in his solo exhibition “Dizains nav māksla?...” (“Design isn’t art?...”) held at Riga Porcelain Museum in 2013. In that show, he presented examples of industrial design he created between 1981 and 1989 while working at the Riga Porcelain Factory. The current solo exhibition showcases works he has created in the last three years and addresses issues relating to uniqueness, influence and imitation. While the exhibition’s main title “Around the Square” reveals formal principles and highlights the role of the square and the circle as visual symbols and fundamental elements, the subtitle “Suspicions about Eoigonism” invites us to reflect whether artworks produced today are merely copies of ancient works done in infinite variations or are indeed original.

Āris Segliņš currently lives and works in Germany. He has been participating in exhibitions since 1984. He studied design theory at the State Art Academy of Latvia, then gained practical experience at the Riga Porcelain Factory as a plaster artisan and later as a modeller in the artistic laboratory.