Viesturs Silvestrs Grants

Graduated from the Graphic Art Department of the Latvian Academy of Art and is a pupil of master printmaker A. Apinis. A graphic artist since 1952, he is one of the recognised Latvian masters of the print. His work has been exhibited since 1965. He mainly works in copperplate technique. He has also created designs for many films by the Latvian Film Studio. He worked for many years at the publishing house Liesma as art editor and later as art director. He is a member of the Commission for the History of Book Publishing at the Latvian Academy of Sciences. He has created more than 300 illustrated books and received many awards in book art competitions in Latvia and abroad, for example at the 1st International Artist’s Book Triennial in Vilnius, 1981.

Among the children’s books he has illustrated, particular mention should be made of the book “The Black Yarn Ball” by V. Kaijaks (Melnais kamols-amols-mols. Cover design by A. Bērziņa. R.: Zvaigzne ABC, 2004) and the selection “Most Beautiful Latvian Folk-Tales” (Latviešu tautas skaistākās pasakas. Compiled by I. Pelūde. R.: Zvaigzne ABC, 2009). In the book art competition Zelta ābele 2009 the outstanding Latvian printmaker and book illustrator received the Award for Lifetime Contribution to Book Publishing, presented by the Latvian Publishers’ Association.

Every book I’ve illustrated is like a graphic adventure for me, like an exercise I didn’t know about at the outset. (Viesturs Silvestrs Grants)