Anita Rācene
Anita Rācene was born in Bauska, Latvia, where she spent her childhood and early years. She currently lives in the Iecava region, an area connected to her family history for more than a century.
She holds a Doctorate in Educational Sciences and Master's degrees in Economics from the Latvia University of Agriculture. For many years, she worked at the Institute of Home Economics and Education, combining academic expertise with creative pursuits.
Her artistic journey began through the inspiration of lecturer Alisa Gibet and the natural landscapes of Latvia, which she interprets through photography and oil painting, capturing the emotional richness of fleeting moments. An important influence on her artistic development was the discovery of the watercolours created by her grandmother, Anna Straujā, a student of Jūlijs Madernieks, whose works dated from the 1980s.
Over the years, her work has been featured in more than ten exhibitions across Latvia, including venues in Jelgava and Bauska. She has also participated in numerous painting plein-airs and workshops.
When the Sea Meets the Shore, 2021
Oil on canvas
60 × 70 cm
Painting
A visual exploration of the boundary between the self and the infinite. Through the technique of stucco bas-relief, the human figure acquires a sculptural physicality that is ultimately transcended by painting: the body becomes transparent, allowing the sea to flow through it until it merges completely with the horizon.
Artist’s Note
The work represents a perfect osmosis between matter and spirit. The solidity of the body dissolves into the rhythm of the waves, transforming the act of meditation into an experience of total union with nature and light.