20.02. - 22.03.2025

Galerija "Māksla XO"

Elizabetes iela 14, Rīga, LV 1010

NILS JUMĪTIS

6369 g

The central theme of Nils Jumītis’ solo exhibition “6369 g” is the BOOK – as a form and as a medium of information. By conveying information, the BOOK shapes the reader’s inner form – a mental space. The transmission of knowledge is linked to the structuring of ideas and beliefs into a specific form. The sculptural form of the BOOK is defined by its material properties – shape, weight, and texture. By using these physical characteristics as a means of expression, Nils Jumītis explores the role of the BOOK’s form in the transmission of information.
Every book carries its own story. The weight of a hymnbook published in 1864, cast in iron, became the title of my exhibition. The magazine “Rīgas Laiks” also has its own story. Since childhood, it has been present in my life, even when I didn’t fully understand its content. “Rīgas Laiks” has been a part of my experience through the insights I’ve gained from reading it, leading me to discover more serious books. I have immortalized several issues of “Rīgas Laiks”, which will hopefully only be absent from its readers for a short time. – Nils Jumītis, 2025.
Nils Jumītis’ sculptural objects (books) are created by melting down various cast iron and aluminium scrap materials, along with discarded metal objects. He uses a unique author’s technique – explosive casting – which is based on controlled explosions and combines randomness with unpredictability. Through this process, the artist creates one-of-a-kind objects.

Nils Jumītis (1992) belongs to the new generation of Latvian sculptors and metal artists. He graduated from the Department of Metal Design at the Art Academy of Latvia (2021). In his artistic practice, he focuses on depicting the inner space of the human being and cognitive processes. He uses innovative metal casting techniques, with a particular focus on working with cast iron, and creates installations and environmental objects. The artist’s marble sculpture “Fish” (2023) is exhibited in the Palermo Sculpture Park in Italy, and the environmental object “Space”(2019) is located in the park of the Centre of Polish Sculpture in Orońsko. Nils Jumītis has participated in group exhibitions and international metal design symposiums in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Slovakia, and Hungary.

Sea (grandfather manual). 2024, cast iron, 28x38x2,1 cm

Photos: David Penny