From February 16, the Riga Porcelain Museum gives you the opportunity to experience the work of Ainārs Rimicāns in the exhibition "When I will no longer have...". The artist paraphrases the lyrics of popular songs and adds, "When I won't have any more..." strength, will, money, inspiration..., but as long as there is, there's also an exhibition!"

Ainārs Rimicāns' works will be displayed both in the museum's exhibition hall and in the shop windows on the ground floor. The shop windows contain Ainārs’ latest works from recent years, while the exhibition hall hosts the best works from his entire career. Visitors will have the opportunity to feast their eyes on various delicacies, such as ice cream in a crispy porcelain waffle. This reminds the author of the joy of childhood, and how when life got tough ice cream was always a wonderful distraction. Some of the works in this series have already been exhibited in the museum as part of the 16th International Small Form Porcelain Exhibition "Consolation" (2022).  Meanwhile, a series of delicious muffins appeared in Geneva, Switzerland, at the 18th International Ceramics Competition Winners' Exhibition "Bling bling" (2022) as part of the Ceramics Biennale. The shop windows will display not only gastronomic surprises, but also icebergs and boats. They will be accessible to everyone strolling through the Konventa sēta courtyard in Old Riga at any time of day. 

In turn, the museum’s exhibition space will present internationally recognized works, such as Ainārs’porcelain "rubber" boots decorated with decals of the Riga Porcelain Factory, executed in silk-screen printing technique with a drawing printed on paper with ceramic paints. These boots are still close to the artist’s heart. Some of the exquisite porcelain daggers already visited the Riga Porcelain Museum in Ainārs Rimicāns' jubilee solo exhibition "Attention, sharp!" exactly ten years ago. The author achieved the nuances of fine sword frames using gold, platinum, porcelain overglaze paints and decals. These and many other intriguing works will be on display in the museum’s exhibition room. 

Ainārs Rimicāns’ artistic life began early. At a children's drawing competition, he was noticed by Harijs Blunavs (1924-2006), who at that time was a lecturer at the Janis Rozentāls Riga Art School. H. Blunavs encouraged Ainārs to enroll in the prestigious Rozentāls school, which at that time was located right next to the Latvian Academy of Arts. After finishing at the school (1982), he continued his studies at the Department of Applied Decorative Arts of the Latvian Academy of Arts (1989) with teachers Sarmīte Ozoliņa and Pēteris Martinsons. Ainārs jokes that since walking into the academy in fifth grade, he has never left; currently, he is an assistant professor in the Ceramics Section of the Department of Visual Plastic Arts, nurturing the next generation of talented Latvian ceramic artists.

During his studies, the artist primarily worked with clay. He became acquainted with porcelain, stoneware, high-degree firing and their delicate nuances after his fourth year at the Academy, when he went to practice at Unit 1 of the Riga Porcelain Factory on Maskavas Street (popularly known by its historical name – the Kuznetsov factory).
Since then, porcelain has dominated his creative work. But while working on commissions, he has also used other materials as needed, such as clay, chamotte and stoneware. According to the wishes of customers, he has crafted clay fireplaces, stove tiles for restoration purposes and even bricks. 

"When I Don't Have Any More..." showcases everyday objects that are reborn as fine, subtle works of art. These extravagant works have been created over many years. While each has originated from its own concept for a particular exhibition or art biennale, here they meet in one show, revealing their creator’s versatility, sense of humor and playfulness. 
Ainārs Rimicāns' solo exhibition at the Riga Porcelain Museum will be on view from 16 February 2024 to 14 April 2024.

The exibition have been created with the financial support of the State Culture Capital Foundation. 

Image: Exhibition poster for the Ainārs Rimicān's solo show "When I will no longer have...". Layout design by Gita Sprince. (c) Riga Porcelain Museum