In May we are thrilled to welcome two artists - Katharina Büttgen and Kristine Mifsud

Katharina is a Belarusian-German artist, whose practice is heavily influenced by violence and trauma. In her work she often uses textile, especially tablecloths, which she embroiders with drawings. The tablecloths are often decorated with plants and flowers. By the support of @_arsif_ program she has been increasingly dealing with Belarusian identity and the connection with nature. During the residency in Kuldīga Katharina aims to research the connections between nature, politics and
myths, especially in alignment with her own identity.

Kristine Mifsud is from Toronto, CA, but currently based in Riga. Recently she has been interested in sculpture, installation, acts of exploration, amateur experimentation, and the pursuit of making her own materials. She aims to link materials to place, connect past with present, and acknowledge the ways and resourcefulness passed down by her elders. Mifsud explores ideas of self-sufficiency, old knowledge and process that is rooted in the notion of sustainability. During her time at Studija she will be processing wild clay recently collected in Kurzeme, and will work on ceramic forms using this clay. She will also be experimenting with other materials, working towards a new body of work. An integral aspect of coming to work in Latvia is to continue exploring ideas around connection and understanding of place, with the added layer of being a diasporic Latvian.

The residency is supported by Valsts Kultūrkapitāla Fonds.