Riga, Latvia
Sergey Dyomin was born on April 19, 1974, in Riga, Latvia, to lawyer Alexander Dyomin and economist Ludmila Dyomin. The greatest impression in Sergey life was left by his grandfather, Anatoly, who was a career military officer. Sergey warmly remembers visiting his grandfather, particularly during the summer, when he could run free in the mans little garden in Ziepniekkaln.Sergey remembers: I started to go to school at age seven. It was a school for children with special needs, kids with physical and mental disorders. I had been diagnosed with scoliosis, and my parents were told to send me to a boarding school, where I would get all of the necessary assistance. I spent three years there. None of the treatments helped, but I enjoyed myself. I was the best student and athlete, and we were fed very well. At the age of 10, I returned to Riga and went to a normal high school. I was very disappointed to find that I was among the worst students there. By my graduation in 1991, however, my grades were normal. I was interested in history, so I entered the University of Latvias Faculty of History and Philosophy. After four years, I didnt want to pursue a masters degree, and there wasnt much of a chance to find a job, because there is still aesthetic racism in Latvia. Who would offer a job that would be tempting to an ambitious 21-year-old? History was no longer of that much interest to me, and I didnt think that it was the only possibility in life. The financial situation of my parents allowed me to continue my studies, and I chose to become a jeweller. Those were my first steps in the colourful world of art. I was truly excited by art. A girl told me that I should enter the Academy of Art. I made the choice and didnt enter the academy. I had to go to preparatory classes to learn to draw. I met alcohol, nicotine and my future wife - Kristin Jansone. She's had the greatest impression on my life and work. She's always supported me, and shes always believed in my talent even when no one else agreed.
