When discussing late artists, "being ahead of their time" is frequently used as the ultimate compliment. However, when we look at Auseklis Baušķenieks (1910–2007) and his work, his arguably most vital quality was his ability to keep a finger on the pulse of his era by living it, recounting it, and exploring human stories. He also developed unique ways of blending technology with tradition, working across contrasting realities, aesthetics, and narratives to address specific, sensitive subjects with clever critique.

In 1942, Baušķenieks graduated from the Latvian Academy of Arts with a degree in figurative painting. Understandably, the years of World War II were marked by minimal production, and it was only about a decade later that he resumed his practice. The turbulent events and intense life experiences reinforced his conviction to reflect on human destiny while exploring contradictions within widely held myths and the core truths of existence. 

He portrayed everything from the urban life of Riga to rural folk traditions, addressing themes of migration, societal conditions, or ecology, revealing both the beauty and flaws of society. His works convey a tragicomic sense of human existence, both compelling and relatable, with intricate compositions that feature figures often inspired by concrete portraits exploring dualities of human temperament and psychological types.

- Saša Bogojev