7. Riga International Textile and Fiber Art Triennale QUO VADIS? laureates were awarded at the exhibition opening night on June 15.

Chosen by the international jury, the main prize went to Loreta Švaikauskiene (Lithuania) for the impressive work "Iron Curtain" (2022, on display at The Art Museum RIGA BOURSE), which is created as a border between the aggression of war and the civilized world. The second place was awarded to Kerstina Lindstrem (Sweden) for the work "May the force be with us" (2022, at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design). Author described her piece as a prayer for the continuation of people's struggle for the preservation of living nature. Artist Jonatans E. Jurkovskis (Poland) won the third prize for the work "Mandorla for Heaven" (2022, at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design) - a tribute to the artist's loved ones who lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. All three laureates received silver awards designed by the artist Andris Silapēters.

The international jury of the triennial selected 79 artists from 30 countries among 237 applications to participate in the exhibitions at The Museum of Decorative Arts and Design (MDAD) and at The Art Museum RIGA BOURSE (AMRB). The Triennale jury consisted of publicist, author of Textile-forum-blog.org, ETN founder, ex-president and general secretary Beatrijs Sterk (Germany), textile artist, professor of the Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Lodz, Vlodzimežs Cigans, professor of art (textile art department of the University of Bergen Contemporary Art, Music and in the design department) Tim Parijs-Williams (Norway), head of MDAD, lecturer of the Latvian Academy of Arts Inese Baranovska (Latvian National Art Museum), deputy head of the Foreign Art Department of The Art Museum RIGA BOURSE Vita Birzak (National Art Museum of Latvia), head of the MDAM collection Velta Raudzepa (National Art Museum of Latvia).

Latvian National Museum of Art's sympathy awards were given to Chen Chun Tai (Taiwan) for the work "Lost" (2022, on view at AMRB), to the group of Lithuanian artists "Rokdarbi" (in collaboration with the Ukrainian poet Halina Kruka) for the work "Embroidering Poems" (2022, on view at AMRB), Ilze Godlevskis (Latvia, Canada, Italy), who created the artwork "Venus" (2022, on view at MDAD) for the Triennale, and Josi Anaijai (Mexico), who participates in the exhibition with the work "Clothes for a Priestess (Shaman's Cloak)" (2021, displayed at MDAD). The LNMA jury consisted of Iveta Derkusova, an art scholar, LNMA deputy director for collection work, head of the LNMA Collections and Scientific Research Department ARSENALS (2nd half of the 20th century - 21st century), Dr. Art. Elita Ansone, curator of the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, art critic Vilnis Vējš. The jury emphasized that they wanted to highlight works of art that reflect strong ideas and compelling concepts.

The 7th Riga International Textile and Fibre Art Triennial is an important international cultural event bringing together participants not only from Latvia and other European countries, but also from Canada, USA, Japan, Brazil, Costa Rica, South Africa, Taiwan, and elsewhere. Responding to the motto of the triennial, QUO VADIS? (Where Are We Going?), the authors, through their works, partake in conversations about the evolution of art and this particular field today as well as global geopolitical and social problems, engaging in self-reflection through the perspective of their time and art form. The main exhibition of this major art event is on view in two venues – at The Museum of Decorative Arts and Design (Skārņu iela 10) and The Art Museum RIGA BOURSE (Doma laukums 6) – until September 17.

Project organizers:

• Latvian National Museum of Art
• Museum of Decorative Arts and Design
• Art Museum RIGA BOURSE

Supporters:

• Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia
• State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia,
• Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Latvia
• Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in Latvia

Partners:

• Mentzendorff’s House
• Rundāle Palace Museum
• Art Station Dubulti (Latvia)
• Strzemiński Academy of Fine Arts in Łódź (Poland)
• Canada Council for the Arts (Canada)
• ArteMorbida textile arts magazine (Italy)

Exhibition curators:

Velta Raudzepa
Collection Manager /
Museum of Decorative Arts and Design /
Latvian National Museum of Art
Ph: (+371) 67 830 901
E:

Vita Birzaka
Deputy Head of the Foreign Art Department /
Art Museum RIGA BOURSE /
Latvian National Museum of Art
Ph: (+371) 67 357 535
E:

Exhibition design:

Reinis Suhanovs

Graphic design:

Juris Petraškevičs, artist
Kristīne Jansone, Visual Communication Specialist /
Art Museum RIGA BOURSE /Latvian National Museum of Art