Roberts Diners
Roberts Diners (1977–2023)
Roberts Diners was a Latvian sculptor and art historian whose innovative and imaginative works left a lasting impact on the contemporary art scene in Jūrmala and beyond. Born in 1977, Diners displayed an artistic inclination from a young age, shaping plasticine figures as early as three years old. His mother, artist Lilija Dinere, recalled his early fascination with materials, particularly colored wax, which he discovered during a family trip to Germany. This medium allowed him to create vibrant, lasting figures that marked the beginning of his artistic journey. Diners lived and worked in Jūrmala, where he became known for his sculptural installations, particularly those exhibited on the beach, blending art with the natural environment. Tragically, Diners passed away prematurely in 2023, leaving behind a rich legacy celebrated through the memorial exhibition Pasaule manos sapņos (The World in My Dreams) at the Dubulti Art Station. Curated by Inga Šteimane, the exhibition showcased the breadth of his career, from his early works to his final creations, highlighting his unique ability to tell stories through intricate forms.
Diners’ work is characterized by its narrative depth and meticulous attention to detail, often exploring themes of human and mythical existence. His sculptures range from colorful wax figures created in the 1990s to miniature bronzes and photographs in the 2000s, showcasing his versatility across media. A hallmark of his style was his ability to develop small forms with infinite detail, as noted by curator Inga Šteimane, who organized his first solo exhibition in Latvia, Cilvēkzvēru noslēpumainā dzīve (The Mysterious Life of Human Beasts), in 1998. Šteimane praised his capacity to maintain a storytelling quality within minimalistic yet highly detailed forms, a trait that set him apart in the field of sculpture. His early exposure to the art world came through a solo exhibition at the Zilberhorn Art Salon in Bonn, Germany, where his wax sculptures garnered significant attention. Over the years, Diners expanded his practice to include large-scale installations, such as an epic work addressing themes of war, and collaborative projects with his mother, Lilija Dinere, illustrating ancient literary monuments. His beach exhibitions in Jūrmala became a signature contribution, transforming the coastal landscape into a gallery space and engaging the public with art in an accessible, open-air setting. As an art historian, Diners brought a scholarly perspective to his practice, enriching his work with cultural and historical references. His exhibitions often incorporated multimedia elements, such as video chronicles, to provide context and deepen the viewer’s experience, as seen in the Pasaule manos sapņos exhibition.