Skuja Braden to Represent Latvia at 59th Venice Biennale with Porcelain Bed Installation

Artist duo Skuja Braden, comprising Ingūna Skuja and Melissa D. Braden, will represent Latvia at the 59th Venice Biennale with their exhibition 'Selling Water by the River' in the Arsenale. Their installation includes a porcelain bed titled 'We Made Our Bed,' created specifically for the event, symbolizing the intersection of private and public realms. The Biennale runs from April 23 to November 27, 2022. Skuja Braden notes the historic significance of the Venice Biennale as a trendsetter and highlights its role in amplifying marginalized voices, including women, non-white, and queer artists. They emphasize the opportunity for smaller nations like Latvia to engage broader audiences and address local issues such as women's histories and non-Latvian ethnicities. The duo draws inspiration from artists like Louise Bourgeois and Felicita Pauļuka, while acknowledging the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art's efforts to rediscover forgotten artists. Their participation marks their first visit to Venice, fulfilling a 23-year-old aspiration.