Indra Skuja-Grislis: Looking for Amberland

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Indra Skuja-Grislis, "Strange Rocks," nd

mixed media

Looking for Amberland by Indra Skuja-Grislis Opening Reception: June 15, 7-9pm

Amberland is a poetic mystical description of my home country Latvia. Amber is seen a precious commodity and also a symbol which Latvians share with some other small nations occupying western shores of the Baltic sea. Amberland does not exist as a geographic place, but in the minds of the Latvian people as an ideal. It is a place where sky meets sea, where day meets night, where nature meets civilization, where past meets present, where memories become alive, where dreams are within reach, where generations meet across time. It becomes vividly alive when you walk along the beach of the Baltic shore and, picking up a small rock, suddenly realize you are holding a piece of amber.

Every Latvian has their own Amberland. Amberland suddenly came alive for me when I was given a more than 100-years-old worn out family heirloom, my mother-in-law’s antique amber bracelet, and tried to fix it, realizing that also rocks, minerals, various natural materials and crystals can be paints.

I am in the midst of vivid rocks and luscious paint, and I can't choose which I like better.

I am attracted to the juxtaposition of the imperfections of various natural materials against the perfect shape of crystals. All my jewelry pieces are original designs that have a tactile coldness, but warm up against the human touch when worn.

Indra Skuja-Grislis is originally from Riga, Latvia and she initially studied religion. When the Latvian bishop forbid women’s ordination in the Latvian Lutheran Church, she moved to the United States and worked in a Lutheran ministry for the Latvian exile community. When she got married she moved to Canada; and here, in Winnipeg, Indra found her second calling – art. Indra finished her fine arts training – BFA honours (First class) from the School of Art, University of Manitoba.