“The artist Arturs Nikitins was relaxed and convincing in his work. In art, he relied only on his own written laws and convictions, which were rooted in the language and understanding of classical modernism. The author was close to the heritage of European culture and its free as well as competent interpretation in works of art. The author is recognizable cycles of graphic works: “Sports” (etching, 1983), “Devon language” (color lithograph, 1976), “Games” (color lithograph, 1983), “Bossa Nova” (etching, 1987), “Chernobyl” (color lithograph , 1988) etc.,” LMS writes in his farewell words to the artist.
As a child, Arturs Nikitins suffered the horrors of the Second World War and the blockade of Leningrad, what he experienced and felt strengthened the artist’s personality, as well as created confidence in his civic position and formed an unyielding character, according to the artist’s colleagues. Nikitins got to know visual art by visiting the fine arts studio of the Pioneer Palace of the Latvian SSR (tag: Children and Youth Center “Rīgas Skolēnu Palace”) run by the painter, pedagogue Jānis Skuča (1908-1998) (1953).
From 1953 to 1957, the artist studied at the Riga Medical Institute (tag. Rīga Stradiņš University), however, he stopped his studies in the fourth year because he entered the Graphics Department of the State Academy of Arts of the Latvian SSR (tag. the Graphics sub-sector of the Visual Arts Department of the Latvian Academy of Arts (LMA)). in the second year. After the third year, Nikitins had chosen to study book graphics in the master workshop of the graphic artist, pedagogue Pēteras Upīš (1899-1989). The LMA artist’s teachers were in personal art – painters Valdis Dišlers (1922-2011), Uga Skulme (1895-1963), Leo Svemps (1897-1975). In 1962, Arturs Nikitins graduated from LMA with a diploma thesis – a series of etchings “Portraits of workers of the Novorossijsk Cement Factory”, head – graphic artist, etching master, student of Rihardas Zariņas (1869-1939), head of the LMA Graphics workshop, Arturs Apinis (1904-1975).
Contact with important figures in art shaped Nikitin’s personal stylistics, which was oriented towards classical modernism and a negative attitude towards the impersonal ideology of socialist realism. The artist was close to the creative people of the USSR in the 70s-80s of the 20th century. humanist ideas about the democratization of the state expressed in the works of the 1960s, and his silent protest was to turn away from political journalism in art.
Arturs Nikitins “Cosmic Twins”, 1976, etching, 65×49 cm
Photo: LMS Museum
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After his studies at LMA, Arturs Nikitins received the order “Portraits of Riga Wagon Construction Factory Workers” and worked as a printmaker at the LMS Art Foundation (MF LMK) combine “Māksla” (1963-1965), tag. LMS Museum’s creative graphics workshop and later was an artist at Riga Bus Factory (RAF, 1978-1979).
Arturs Nikitins turned to teaching. Worked as a pedagogue in the evening courses of artistic construction at LMA (1975-1992) and worked together with instructors painter Arvīdas Būmani (1942-2000), ceramist, designer Valdas Podkalni, architects Olģerts Ostenbergs (1925-2012), Ivars Bumbieri (1932-2020), sculptors Tālivaldi Gaumigus (1930-2016), Arvīdus Drīzuli (1934-2019), designer Valdi Celma, pedagogue Dagmāras Villeruša, etc. Later, the artist was a lecturer at the design course of the Baltic International Academy.
Arturs Nikitins participated in exhibitions since 1958 – in the 3rd Young Artists Exhibition. He held the first important exhibition together with the sculptor Valentina Helmuti in 1969 at the MF Art Salon (Riga, Padomju bulvāris, tag. Aspazijas bulvāris). The artist’s exhibitions have taken place in Riga (the exhibition “Es and our time” together with Zigrida-Joanas Rapa, Gaisma Giga (1938-1999), Māra Rikmani, Lolita Zikmani, LMS gallery, 1972; 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985. Personal exhibitions of A. ņikitins: “Spring Rhapsody”, Ita Kozakēvičas exhibition hall of the Association of Latvian National Cultural Societies, 1996; former branch of the joint-stock company “Saules banka”, 1996; “Vivace Con Afetto”, “Rietumu Bankas” gallery, (2016 ), in Jūrmala (1977, 1989), Kuldīga (together with the graphic artist Dzidra Ezergaili (1926-2013), Kuldīga Old Town Concert Hall, 1987), also abroad – in Germany (1990), Sweden (1991), Russia (in the theater gallery of Pleskava city “Cehs “, 2018) etc
Arturs Nikitins participated in exhibitions in Latvia, France, Japan, USA, India, Iceland, England, Germany, Switzerland, Myanmar, Russia and his works were exhibited: at the exhibition of Baltic artists in the Central Exhibition Hall of the Moscow House of Artists (Russia, 1974), at the exhibition “Still Life ” (Republican House of Knowledge, tag. Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral, 1983), at the Republican book graphics exhibition (LMS gallery, 1987), at the exhibition of the “Grafikas kamera” society at Menzendorff House (2001), at the Omsk Art Museum graphics exhibition (Russia, 2006) , in the exhibition “A Gift of Latvian Artists on the Anniversary of Alexander Pushkin” (LU Academic Library, 2009), in the International Exhibition “Unscheduled Meetings” (Latvian National Art Museum Exhibition Hall “Arsenāls”, 2019, created by LMC), etc. Nikitins has participated in the annual exhibitions “Days of Art” organized by LMS ” and “Autumn” (“Autumn 2015 / Barikadēm 25”, venues: LMS gallery, 1991 barricade museum, 2015, curator Ieva Smilģe).
Arturs Nikitins worked in several graphic techniques, but he also focused on sculpture, oil painting, watercolor and pastel painting. The artist’s creative work is characterized by dynamic compositions, expressive line language and form of expression.
Since his studies at LMA, Arturs Nikitins has worked in the portrait genre, both in graphic design and painting, and created portraits of important creative personalities – painters Rudolph Piņnias (1985), Boris Bērziņš (1984), composer Raimonds Paulus (1977), graphic artist Aleksandar Junker, painter Jānis Brektes (1964). , as well as created self-portraits in various styles and techniques.
Arturs Nikitins has also focused on interior design and in cooperation with LMS MF LMK “Māksla” participated in the development of interior projects of public buildings and catering establishments, tried to realize in works the current concept of the 60s-70s of the 20th century about public, aesthetic dialogue with the visitor and saturated the space with idealized and caricatured figures of art. The artist has created stylized portraits, publicity signs with figural composition motifs on the facades of buildings, but in the interiors he has designed metus wall panels, furniture enriched with portrait compositions developed in wood, metal and capar materials and created wall paintings. The artist participated in the development of interior designs and projects: for Riga 6th Secondary School (1978), for restaurants – “Staburags” (together with architect A. Kuznecova, artists, wood sculptors Alvi Zariņa (1933-1998), A. Zvilderi, Jānis Poliaks (1941-2008 ), Riga, 1968), “Rostok”, for cafes “Jānis” (1967), “13 chairs” (architect A. Lebedevs, artists, wood sculptors Uldis Salaks (1927-2003), Andris Melderis, painter Uldis Zemzaris (1928-2022 ), Riga, 1969), “Penguin” (designer Aina Ozoliņa, Riga, 1967), sanatorium “Safīrs”, hotel “Oktyabrskaja” (St. Petersburg, Russia, 1967) etc.
Arturs Nikitins worked in book graphics and created illustrations for publications relevant to the intelligentsia of the USSR in the second half of the 20th century: Mihails Sholohovs “Cilvēka liktenis” (“Latvijas Valsts Izdevniecība”, 1958), Oskars Wilds “Miniatures” (“Liesma”, 1986), Yevgenijs Yevtushenko “Mother and neutron bomb” (“Flame”, 1986), Alexander Pushkin “Queen of Spades” (“Flame”, 1988) etc.
The artist’s creative activity has been evaluated with several industry awards: the Ministry of Culture award (for the triptych “Tragedy of Chernobyl”, 1987), diplomas 4., 5., 6. in the Tallinn graphics triennials (1977, 1980, 1983), prizes and diplomas in the Vilnius book graphics triennials (1984, 1987), etc.
Arturs Nikitins has been a member of the Union of Artists of Latvia since 1968, and recommendations for admission to the LMS artist were issued by painter, LMA professor Vilis Ozols (1929-2014), graphic artist Aleksandrs Junkers (1899-1976) and ceramist, LMA professor Georgs Kruglovs (1905-1984). Arturs Nikitins was a member of the LMS MF Art Council and an active member of the LMS Graphics Section.
The artist’s creative contribution has been appreciated and in 1988 he was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist of the LPSR.
The works of Artur Nyikitins are in the Museum of the Union of Artists of Latvia, the National Art Museum of Latvia, the Museum of Literature and Music, the State Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow, Russia), A. Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (Moscow, Russia), other museums, as well as private collections in Latvia, the USA , Russia, Canada, etc
The Artists’ Union of Latvia expresses its deep condolences to the relatives and colleagues of the graphic designer, pedagogue Arturas Nikitins.
Farewell to the artist Arturas Nikitins will take place on July 12, 2022 at 12.00, in the Great Hall of the Riga Crematorium.
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