Painters 2015
Natalia Dik
Natalia Dik lives between the Netherlands
and Russia. Active, animated
and admired by all, her raw energy
and marvellous talent breathe life into
the festival. A recurring Lamu painter,
she is familiar with the landscape and,
whether it is poignant portrait, excited
donkeys or tired boats sleeping on the
sand, Dik consistently captures the
magic of everyday life. In one painting
after another, she reveals, “the balance
and rhythm between people and
nature, and the energy in the wind.”
Dik has gained the respect of the other
artists who frequent the festival. A
humble genius, she steals the hearts
of plein-air aficionados everywhere. “I
hope that when people see my work
they see a little of who I am, but also
I hope they see elements of who they
are. The viewer should always be able
to learn about themselves when they
look at the painting.”
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Dik studied at the Ilja Repin Academy of Fine Arts in St Petersburg, Russia. Her work can be found in prominent collections in Russia including The Russian Museum, the Plyos House-Museum and the Repin Academy Museum. She has exhibited at the Katwijks Museum and the Museum van Bommel van Dam in the Netherlands and at the National Portrait Gallery (BP) in London. Dik was accompanied by her husband Peter Rijs, founder of the PR2 gallery in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Peter Rijs curated the 2015 Lamu Painters Festival exhibition at Baitil Aman Hotel, Shela.