In Madara Neikena’s paintings, landscape becomes a place of pause. The sea, sky, horizon and light are not only natural motifs in her works – they create a quiet, balanced space in which the viewer can breathe and gather their thoughts.
The artist works with restraint and precision. There is no unnecessary noise in her paintings – sometimes a few lines, a light field of colour or a muted transition are enough to create a sense of atmosphere, movement and openness. This simplicity is not emptiness, but a concentrated attention to the moment, to light and to the rhythm of nature.
Neikena’s painting resonates with clarity and simplicity – clarity that helps reveal what is essential, and simplicity that allows it to remain visible without being lost in detail. Her works remind us that harmony often comes not from abundance, but from the ability to leave only what truly matters.
Madara Neikena is a painter and graduate of the Art Academy of Latvia. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Painting, studied at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom as part of the Erasmus exchange programme in 2013, and in 2014 received the SEB Grant in Painting and took part in the Premio Marina di Ravenna residency in Italy. The artist has held solo exhibitions and participated in exhibitions, plein airs and projects in Latvia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Estonia, Georgia and Poland. Her works are held in the SEB, ROCHE Latvia, and ARS Medicine Centre art collections.
Artist’s works in SEB collection
“Bez nosaukuma” / “Untitled”
Audekls, eļļa / Oil on canvas
90 × 120 cm
2024
“Koki” / “Trees”
Audekls, eļļa / Oil on canvas
90 × 120 cm
2014
“Zari” / “Branches”
Audekls, eļļa / Oil on canvas
90 × 120 cm
2014
