Ligita Franckeviča

Born on 30 July 1947 in Tukums.

Ligita Franckeviča has an innate talent for sculpting. If her artistic flair and skill reigned supreme, the world would be transformed into a realm of silky, rounded shapes, each flowing seamlessly into the next. It would be a world without dull planes, sharp corners, or jarring edges, where every thing is self-sufficient and every being – dignified and enveloped in gentle silence. A world swaying in the soft, velvety dance of light and shadow, at times shimmering with its own inner radiance. The sculptor works primarily with bronze that "molds to our whim" (Teodors Zaļkalns), but she also loves to use marble, sometimes even granite or other hard materials. The artist keeps coming back to timeless themes: love, the ongoing life and its fragility, freedom and flight, both physical and spiritual. "Sculpture has always captivated me," says the artist. She then reflects on how Tēlniecība, the Latvian word for this art form, captures the concept of embodying an image. "While it may not be easy for everyone, I feel it comes naturally to me. The image comes to life in my hands, seemingly on its own."

Ligita Franckeviča has graduated from the Ceramics Department of Riga School of Design and Art (1967) and from the Sculpture Department of the Art Academy of Latvia (1973).

She creates free-standing and miniature sculptures as well as relief and medal art. She has sculpted gravestones for Ita Kozakeviča, leader of the Latvian National Awakening (Riga, 1992), caricaturist Gunārs Bērziņš (Tukums, 2003), actress ElzaRadziņa (Riga, 2007) and others. Furthermore, she has created monumental sculptures exhibited in outdoor settings. These include the sculpture of Eduards Smiļģis in his role as Tots in Riga (1978) and that of poet Mirdza Ķempe in Liepāja (1989), among others. The artist has also sculpted several portraits and memorial plaques of distinguished individuals for both indoor and outdoor settings: the portrait of actress Mirdza Šmithene, exhibited at the Latvian National Theatre (1985), the portraits of Uldis Bērziņš (memorial plaque; 2021), painter Vilhelms Purvītis, and architect and art scientist Vilhelms Neimanis, exhibited at the Latvian National Museum of Art for many years as well as other portraits, the majority of which are depicted on plaques, medals, and coins. The historical figures and contemporaries, some of whom close and dear to the artist, are portrayed in a simple yet skillful manner, making them surprisingly recognisable. The image immediately draws the viewer in, revealing its depth and richness and uncovering layers of deeper meaning. A personality like an endless expanse, vast and infinite. The artist has collaborated with Latvijas Banka since 1995 and has created plaster models for more than 60 collector coins. This includes the plaster models for the reverse of all coins in the "800 Years of Riga" series, a unique set of eight silver coins (1995–1998). She has worked as a teacher at the Sculpture Department of Riga School of Design and Art (1973–1976) and as a moulder at the industrial bronze foundry Māksla. She was the stage designer of Lelde Stumbre's play Gaidīt (To Wait) at Liepāja Theatre (1986). The work branches out. "Can art change the world? It can open people's eyes, and I have been striving for this my entire life. Lately, I have been particularly drawn to nature-themed subjects I wish to keep working on it."

Ligita Franckeviča has participated in exhibitions since 1971 and has organised several solo exhibitions in various cities across Latvia. The most comprehensive overview of her achievements in sculpture was presented at the exhibition L+O. Laikmets. Tēlniecība (2017), which she organised together with her partner sculptor Ojārs Berģis. The artist has participated in significant group exhibitions of sculpture, the Sculpture Quadrennial Riga, Latvian and Baltic Medal Art Triennials, Baltic Sculpture Triennials, various international exhibitions of miniature sculptures and medals. Moreover, she has also taken part in the congresses and exhibitions organised by the International Art Medal Federation (FIDEM).

Ligita Franckeviča is a member of the Latvian Association of Artists (since 1976), Latvian Association of Sculptors (since 1989), and the FIDEM (since 1996).

She has received widespread recognition and numerous awards. She won an award at the Baltic Young Artist Exhibition in Vilnius (1979), a prize from the magazine Māksla at the Sculpture Quadrennial Riga-80, the first prize at the Miniature Sculpture Festival in Hungary (1983), a medal from the Latvian SSR Association of Artists at the Sculpture Quadrennial Riga-84, and a silver medal at the Baltic Medal Art Triennial in Vilnius (1986). Numerous Latvijas Banka's collector coins with Līga Franckeviča's plaster models have been awarded first prizes and named Latvia's Coin of the Year: "Fog mists the pane" (2011), "Rainis and Aspazija" (2015), "Fairy Tale Coin II. Hedgehog's Coat" (2017), "Smith Forges in the Sky" (2018), and others. They have also been awarded first prizes at the contests organised by the Publishing House Watermark (Russia). They have also won the Coin of the Year Award (COTY) several times. This international coin contest is organised by the numismatics publishing house Krause (USA). Līga Franckeviča has been awarded the Order of the Three Stars (Fourth Class; 2017).

Her works are stored in the collections of the Latvian National Museum of Art, the Museum of Latvian Association of Artists, Dundaga Museum, and numerous private collections in Latvia and abroad.

The biography was prepared by Rūta Muižniece,
Master of Arts