Artist Statement

Agnes Kurz (or Agnese Kurzemniece)

Agnes Kurz is a Riga-based painter and printmaker whose large-scale figurative works explore female identity, aging, and the physical realities of the human body. Grounded in classical painting techniques and informed by her background in art theory, her practice moves between keen observation, painterly distortion, and psychological confrontation.  Kurz’s figures inhabit a space between personal portraits and universal archetypes. Through elongated proportions, scale shifts, and surreal visual disruptions, she challenges traditional standards of beauty. Rather than idealizing her subjects, she focuses on the unvarnished materiality of flesh—rendering wrinkles, physical tension, and lived experience with unflinching honesty.  Irony and composition drive the narrative in Kurz's work. She places her figures within stark, atmospheric landscapes, creating a vivid contrast between quiet, muted backgrounds and the rich, visceral tones of human skin. Through humor, absurd object pairings, and tragicomic staging, she unpacks social expectations, female roles, and the complex reality of growing old in a culture obsessed with youth.  Combining a strong foundation in printmaking with a bold approach to acrylic painting, Kurz offers an intimate yet confronting reflection on contemporary womanhood—one where vulnerability, strength, and absurdity naturally coexist.

Short Bio

Agnes Kurz (b. Latvia) lives and works in Riga. She holds a Master’s degree in Graphic Art from the Art Academy of Latvia, completed specialized research in non-toxic intaglio techniques at Henrik Bøegh’s workshop in Spain, and is currently pursuing an MA in Art History and Theory with a focus on Curatorial Studies.
Kurz’s work is characterized by its powerful psychological presence and rigorous formal language. She has exhibited in solo and group shows across Europe and at international art fairs. Her paintings are included in the permanent collection of the Rothko Museum (Daugavpils) and various regional museum collections in Latvia. She is a member of the Artists' Union of Latvia and the Chamber of Graphic Art. 

Education:

2023 - Present: Master's Degree in Art History and Theory, Curatorial Studies, Latvian Academy of Arts

1996 - 1998: Master's Degree in Graphic Arts, Latvian Academy of Arts

1991 - 1996: Bachelor's Degree in Graphics, Latvian Academy of Arts

1991: Exchange Program, Durham's Art School, UK

1984 - 1991: J. Rozentala Riga Art College, Latvia

Additional Training:

2024: LCCA School of Art Criticism

2012: Non-toxic Intaglio Workshop, Henriks Boegs, Capileira, Spain

Awards, Nominations, and Symposiums:

2026 / 2024 /2023: Nominee, Jāzeps Pīgoznis Prize for Latvian Landscape Painting

2022: Shortlisted, New Emergence Art Prize, UK

2013: 2nd Graphics Symposium Latgale, Daugavpils Rotko Art Center

2011: Finalist, Saatchi Online ARTPARIS

Affiliations:

Member, Latvian Artists' Union

Member, Latvian Chamber of Graphics