Artist CV

Artist's statement

(b 1996LV. Lives and works in Riga )

In her artwork, Raituma aims to create a bridge between the past and ongoing global ecological issues, between civilized human beings and nature in its original state. “Is there a universal language and a possible cure for humankind?” her work implicitly wonders. Through interdisciplinary approach (mainly focusing on painting), Raituma creates an alternative mythology in order to remind viewers of their animal roots. She uses plywood, often juxtaposing its raw grain with synthetic media, like acrylic and alkyd enamel paint. She also uses a burning technique to create hazy visual affects. “I see a poetic contradiction between fire and wood; a symbolic collision of death and life, an enchanted alchemy.”

Solo exhibitions

2020    
May Home Stay Within You, Galeria PADA, Barreiro  
2019    
V, Vieta, Riga  
2018    
Contrast, Cultural Center of Valmiera, Valmiera  
2017    
Prism, Gallery Sukubs, Riga  

Group exhibitions

2020
Christmas Pop-up exhibition, Gallery Look, Riga
REA! Independent Emerging Artist Fair, Milan 
2019
Academia, Exhibition hall Arsenāls, National Museum of Latvia, Riga
Art Biennale Art Future, Future Signs, Riga
Fresh Meat for Critique, Former Faculty of Biology of LU, Riga  
2017
Saatchi Art Fair, London
Zvīņu Spoguļos, Nature Museum of Latvia, Riga  

 

Awards & residencies

2021
Artist residency at AZAN space, Tomaz Hipólito’s studio, Lisbon  
2020
Artist residency at PADA studios, Barreiro  
2019
Scolarship of Latvian painter Valdemārs Tone, Riga  
2018
Award in National Competition in Honour of 100 Years of Latvia, Riga  

Education

2021
MA Painting, Art Academy of Latvia  
2018-2019 
BA Painting, Accademia di Belle Arte di Venezia  
2015-2019 
BA Painting, Art Academy of Latvia