The sculptural works of Viļa Zvaigznīša

Publicēts: 14.08.2023

As part of the project "Poet from the grace of God - VILIS ZVAIGZNITIS in poetry, art and life paths", the sculptural works of writer and sculptor Vilis Zvaigznītis have been identified.

Vilis's most famous sculpture is the Devil of Gosupite, which is located on the bank of Gosupīte, by the old road, driving from Velēna to Lizuma. Motorists may also have noticed the Līdumnieks sculpture, which is located on the Smiltene-Gulbene road, on the side of the parking lot, near the Tirza bridge. Vilis often gave his sculptures to friends. The works created by Viļa Zvaigznīša can be seen in the local history museum of the Lizuma elementary school, they are also in private collections.

Photo: Ance Zaķe

“[..] the main raw material for the sculptor was and remained not concrete, but here, in the nearby Lejplāva, the curled steel – the glossy, bluish smooth. It had to be kneaded, prepared to the required consistency. While working on the sculpture, it should not be allowed to dry in order to preserve its plasticity. After that, it should be dried slowly, for a long time, so as not to crack. While the brick kiln was still operating in Velēnmuiža, kind people also burned some of Vilis's sculptural works there. In the fire of the kiln, the sculptures changed color from bluish to brick red, became hard and durable. Later, great difficulties arose with the firing and unfortunately most of the works have remained unfired, which is why not a single one has already been damaged or lost altogether. In recent years, Vilis himself also cared little about the longevity of his creations, sometimes giving away freshly made, even not properly dried, sculptures. Once, several still-wet devils were frozen and crumbled in the kitchen."

Excerpt from the book "Poet from the grace of God - VILIS ZVAIGZNITIS in poetry, art and life paths".

 

The book is published with the support of the Vidzeme Planning Region and the State Cultural Capital Fund.