Finding joy in handmade objects

An art historian and exhibition curator for art and design, Inese has curated contemporary art exhibitions in Latvia and abroad since the 90s. She has published numerous books and articles on art, as well as lecturing in Europe, Russia and the USA. In October 2011 she became head of the Decorative Arts and Design Museum of the Latvian National Museum of Art and since 2009 she has been a lecturer at the Latvian Art Academy. In 2018 together with designer Arthur Analt, she curated the Latvian exhibition space at the London Design Biennale: Matter to Matter, and was the winner of the Best Design Medal for the most exceptional design.

First of all craftsmanship has a great heritage in Latvia, it’s a significant part of the history and long lasting traditions of our nation. It is very important that it should maintain as a living tradition in the 21st century, not only as historical objects in the museums.

I always appreciate the real quality of things. It’s not a question of the price; it’s about the things that make your everyday life a happy one, the things you don’t want to throw away. They never become “out of fashion”, something connected with your emotions and memories.

All the artists I have selected are represented in the collection of our museum. We have worked together on different exhibition projects and I always appreciate what they are doing, follow their development and achievements.

It’s an essential human touch, long lasting quality of things, harmony of colours and proportions, tactile feeling of the materials.