“My Latvian parents arrived in Australia as refugees via Germany in 1951.
In Australia my childhood was immersed in Latvian art and culture which is deeply imprinted in my psyche. Our relatives in Latvia sent us a stream of art books throughout the Soviet period, with painting, sculpture and landscape photography being the main themes. The ‘heroic’ Latvian art of the pre-war period, especially the sculptures in the ‘Brothers War Cemetery’ in Riga and the brutalist sculptures of the Soviet period all have had a strong influence on me.
In the mid 1970s I completed a Diploma of Art and Design at Prahan College of Advanced Education with a major in photography although I developed a strong interest in ceramics at the same time. At Prahran I was fortunate to be taught by Athol Smith and Paul Cox, with inspirational art history lectures from Norbert Loeffler.
I learnt about the great American and European photographers and the beauty of black and white photographic prints. I learnt about light and its role in photography and sculpture and still recall Paul Cox’s words, “Light comes from heaven”.
Later, while living in Central Victoria, I enrolled in ‘Welding for Sculptors’ at Castlemaine TAFE and metalwork remains a passion.
Now I love wandering the Ian Potter Gallery in Federation Square and the NGV. Visits to the National Gallery in Canberra are also inspirational.
…Still so much to do…”
Andris Osenieks, 2024
