Select your language
This section features coins whose design was created by the artist – from the initial concept to the final visual solution.
Ivo Grundulis has the ability to envision things as they should be when completed and possesses remarkable skill in perfectly executing what he imagines. Initially, he mastered the craft of a metal artist, but soon became captivated by new, modern technologies, which opened up unprecedented possibilities for the artist. Ivo Grundulis developed expertise in computer graphics, continually refining his skills, and now works exclusively with the computer. He approaches his work with thoroughness, passion, and creativity, becoming a collaborator for renowned art masters who do not use computers themselves. Thus, together with Ilmārs Blumbergs, design was created for the Latvian State Archive's publication Aizvestie I, II (Taken away I, II) (2001, 2007), Ilmārs Blumbergs' Venēcijas grāmatas (Venice books, 2006), 20. gs. Spāņu dzejas antoloģija (Anthology of the 20th century Spanish poetry, 2014), and also for many records of the choir Kamēr.... Graphic design is also a part of the work of Ivo Grundulis for productions by Ilmārs Blumbergs at the Latvian National Opera – Burvju flauta (The magic flute, 2001), Dēmons (Demon; the idea never came to life). He has also contributed graphic design work to other productions at the Latvian National Opera, as well as the Dailes Theatre, the Latvian National Theatre and the New Riga Theatre. During the recent years, he has independently created design for various books, such as the album Rīgas salas (Islands of Riga, 2014), the collection of Latvian folk songs Laima, mūža licējiņa (Selected folksongs about Laima, 2016), the poetry collection Basās zvaigznes (Barefoot stars, 2016) by Knuts Skujenieks, the book Juris Monvids Skalbergs. Divkāršais kūlenis. Modernisms – Postmodernisms (Juris Monvids Skalbergs. Double Somersault. Modernism – Postmodernism, 2018) by Jānis Lejnieks.
The cooperation of Ivo Grundulis with Latvijas Banka has been quite successful – he developed the graphic design for the programme's "Laikmetu grieži un laikmetu vērtības" (Latvia. Times and Values) coins "Brīvības cīņas" (Fight for Freedom), "Svešas varas" (Foreign rulers), "Valsts atdzimšana" (Rebirth of the State), and particularly for the lats collector coin "Richard Wagner" (dedication to the 200th anniversary of the composer's birth), which was recognised as the world's Best Silver Coin (2014)
Ivo Grundulis was born on 21 January 1972 in Riga.
He studied at the Metal Art Department of Riga Secondary School of Applied Arts from 1987 to 1991.
He received the Golden Apple Tree Award for the design of the book Rīgas salas (Islands of Riga, 2015) by Gundega Repše and Kaspars Goba.
The biography was prepared by Rūta Muižniece,
Master of Arts
