“CHILDREN OF THE SUN” JANA BRIKE
Jana Brike’s latest exhibition, Children of the Sun, is nothing short of mesmerizing. Her work has always struck a chord with me, but this collection feels especially powerful. Brike taps into something deeply human—our vulnerabilities, our strengths, and those in-between moments where mythology and reality seem to blur.
The exhibition opens with a reception on Saturday, November 23rd, from 6 to 9 PM and runs until December 13th. It’ll share the spotlight with other fascinating shows like Luke Chueh’s It Is What It Is and Jeff Gillette’s Disillusioned—making it a must-see for anyone who appreciates layered, thought-provoking art.
What I love most about Brike’s work is her ability to blend the universal and the deeply personal. Her paintings are full of symbolism—love, motherhood, sisterhood, and mortality are all recurring themes. In this show, she leans heavily into mythology, drawing from tales like Mercury, the Styx, and Bluebeard. But these aren’t straightforward illustrations; they’re poetic, almost dreamlike expressions of what it feels like to grapple with life’s big questions.
Nature is a constant in her work—lush forests, birds, water, fire—all swirling together to echo human emotions. What really resonates with me is how Brike treats nature as an extension of the self. It’s like she’s saying, “This isn’t out there somewhere; it’s part of us.” And it’s true—who hasn’t felt their mood mirrored in a thunderstorm or found calm in the waves?
Brike grew up in Soviet-occupied Latvia, and her backstory adds so much depth to her art. You can sense how her connection to nature became a refuge and how that connection continues to breathe life into her paintings. She’s based in Riga now, creating works that feel like an invitation to slow down and reflect.
If you’re into art that feels like a conversation—one that challenges, inspires, and stays with you long after—you don’t want to miss Children of the Sun. It’s an exhibition that speaks to both the head and the heart, and I’m so excited to feature it here.