Exhibitions at the Aizkraukle Regional Central Library

This month, visitors to the city library can enjoy two different yet equally engaging exhibitions that invite them to explore both an artist’s creative world and the story of a passionate collector.

In the library’s exhibition hall, visitors can view the portrait drawing exhibition “The Gaze” by artist Reinis Jansons. The exhibition features delicately drawn portraits that reveal the character and emotions of the people depicted. Meanwhile, the library’s reading room hosts “The World of Hearts”, an exhibition from the collection of Ligita Neija, bringing together a wide variety of objects decorated with heart motifs.

A gaze that reveals human character

The exhibition “The Gaze” presents portrait drawings by Aizkraukle resident Reinis Jansons, in which special attention is given to facial expressions. Each work is like a small story – about emotions, personality, and moments captured on paper.

The artist says that the idea of focusing on portrait drawing emerged about twenty years ago. After noticing a portrait drawn by another artist on the internet, he was inspired to try drawing a portrait himself, especially since drawing had come naturally to him since childhood.

On social media, Reinis Jansons is also known by the creative pseudonym “Paper Scratcher”, and his works attract viewers with their nuanced and patient execution. According to the artist, portraits fascinate him because they allow him to observe and portray a person’s character – sometimes a single glance can reveal far more than words.

“Emotion is the most important element in my portraits. If there is no emotion in a person’s face – if they are not thoughtful, smiling, or angry – the viewer’s gaze simply does not linger on the portrait,” the artist explains.

The portraits are created with graphite pencils on A3-sized paper, and each work takes approximately four hours to complete.

The exhibition “The Gaze” invites viewers to pause for a moment, appreciate the moment captured by the artist, and notice what we often overlook in the rush of everyday life.

The World of Hearts – a collection with a special atmosphere

In the exhibition “The World of Hearts”, visitors can discover the collection built over many years by Ligita Neija, bringing together a wide range of objects featuring heart motifs.

Among the items in the collection are mugs, candies, candles, piggy banks, glass figurines, and many other objects decorated with hearts.

As Ligita Neija explains, the collection began about 30 years ago when she brought home the first heart-shaped mug from Slovakia.

Over the years, the collection has grown considerably, and each item carries its own story – some were found during travels, while others were received as gifts from friends and family members.

Especially dear to the collector are objects connected with family memories, such as figurines made from plasticine by her son and daughter in childhood, now carefully preserved in a glass container.

Around the world, the heart symbol is associated with love, warmth, and kindness, and this exhibition also invites visitors to pause for a moment while viewing the collection and enjoy positive emotions.

You are warmly invited to visit the library and explore both exhibitions.

Ligita Neija’s exhibition “The World of Hearts” in the library reading room will be on display throughout the entire month of March, while Reinis Jansons’ portrait exhibition “The Gaze”, located in the library exhibition hall, will be open until 30 April.

Aizkraukle Regional Central Library – Reading Room
Lāčplēša Street 3, Aizkraukle
Phone: +371 65122293

Opening hours:
Monday – Friday: 12:00–19:00
Saturday: 10:00–15:00
Sunday: Closed

Every second Thursday of the month – closed (methodological day).

Information prepared by the Aizkraukle Tourism Information Point, 4 Lāčplēša Street, Aizkraukle.