Zita Sudnika, Rowan, Oil on Cardboard

Zita Sudnika, Rowan. 2002. Oil on canvas, 80x60 cm

The painting is a vibrant and dynamic expressionistic depiction of rowan branches and berries, with thick, textured brushstrokes and bold, clashing colors that seem to pulse with energy.

The rowan branches, typically slender and delicate, are rendered here as thick, twisted vines that writhe and twist across the canvas like a living, breathing entity. The leaves are distorted and exaggerated, their shapes blurring together in a riot of green and yellowish hues. The berries, typically small and rounded, are blown up to the size of marbles, their bright red and orange color bursting forth like tiny rubies scattered across the canvas.

The overall effect is one of frenetic energy, as if the rowan branches are alive and in motion, writhing and twisting across the canvas like a living creature. The colors are bold and clashing, with no attempt to create a naturalistic representation of the subject matter. Instead, the painter has sought to capture the essence of the rowan tree, its energy and vitality distilled onto the canvas in a swirling storm of color and movement.

Zita Sudnika (1958)


1976. Janis Rozentāls Riga Art High School;
1983. Painting Department of the Latvian Academy of Arts;
2003. Humanities Master of Arts;
Since 1995 Member of the Artists' Union of Latvia.

Work experience
1984-1988. Artist at "Zinātne" publishing house;
1996-1998. Art gallery manager in Majori, Jurmala;
1998-2005. Head of children's painting studio in Bulduri, Jurmala;
Since 1989 working as a teacher, preparing children for entrance exams in art institutions.

Personal exhibitions
2004. St. Peter's Church in Riga;
2004. Bonn, Germany;
2001. Naukšenes;
1995. Lapmežciems;
1987. Kuldiga;
1994, 1996, 1997. Riga;
1996-2007. Jurmala.

Group exhibitions
2005. Cesis;
2005. Ottawa, Canada;
2003. Ruovesi, Finland;
2002. Tampere, Finland;
2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 1998. Jurmala;

1985 – 2007 in Riga.

Awards:
1st prize at the 11th exhibition of miniature works "River-Human-Life" in Valmiera, 2004; 2005 - Annual award in art for the exhibition in St. Peter's Church in Riga.

Works in collections
Jurmala city history and art museum; in private collections in the USA, Canada, France, Russia, Australia, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Denmark, England.