About Velta Emilija Platupe

My love for printed words is so strong that I make paintings and sculptures from orphaned books. I add different sorts of paper, textile fiber and found objects and treat this mixture as if it was a marble mine. I regard all human-made commodities as the raw material of the 21st century, they add opulence, playfulness and weirdness to my objects. My sculptures are hybrids - installations, huge marionettes and idol figures. I overcome gravity using a technique from marionette theater. Sculptures float in air and strings make them alive. I paint because I'm volatile. I catch all my demons and fears with a brush, so they are not threatening anymore. I'm hesitant, that's why I paint portraits in real time. Models don't have to speak. Sometimes I lay paintings in a horizontal plane, like huge rolls of parchment. The public can touch it, walk and crawl on it, contemplating the importance of daily grounding. I'm a mystic. I borrow deities and create semisacred, eerie spaces where sculptures, paintings, words and animation merge in a numinous, baroque amalgam. I love the tactile. My objects are sensuous to touch. I love word constellations, so there are collections of short stories to accompany the visual work. In a courageous mood, I transform stories into puppet performances and collaborate with theaters and musicians. I'm happy to explore Artfinder universe. I hope to find a new inspiration for myself and in turn share my vision with other people.