Abstract
Georgs Kruglovs (1905 - 1984) was an outstanding Latvian ceramist and teacher, who was born in Riga, studied at The Art Academy of Latvia, and developed his knowledge at the State Ceramic Technical School in Bunclav, Germany. He worked at M.S. Kuznetsov Company porcelain and faience factory, until the Soviet power came in 1940, when he became the director of the nationalised factory. However, he devoted most of his life to teaching ceramics and working as the head of the ceramics department at The Latvian Academy of Art (1944 - 1974). In the history of Latvian applied art, Georgs Kurglovs is considered a controversial figure due to his political views. In the paper, the author analyses the ceramist’s early legacy and his artistic expressions and representations in porcelain in the broad context of artistic, social and political events. Through an in-depth analysis of the artist’s personal file, methodological materials, and reflections on image and its integration into the material in accordance with the leading political guidelines. The study also explores the impact of political and socio-historical events on Kruglov creative activity, which clearly influenced not only the consolidation of his ideological and personal convictions, but also his professional activity and the perception of the surrounding events.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Decolonization, Ceramics, Porcelain, USSR
