Riga-based multidisciplinary artist Agate Tūna has been awarded the prestigious Kim? Residency Award for , the Kim? Contemporary Art Centre announced earlier this week. The award will grant Tūna a two-month residency at the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in New York City this autumn.
A Platform for International Artistic Exchange
The ISCP, located in Brooklyn, is a leading contemporary art institution offering residencies to emerging and mid-career artists and curators from around the globe. The program provides 35 bright studio spaces and two galleries, making it one of the most comprehensive international visual arts residency programs in New York. The residency aims to support the professional development of artists and curators while introducing New York audiences to exceptional international art practices. During her time at ISCP, Tūna will have the opportunity to refine her practice, build international connections, and engage with New York’s vibrant art scene through studio visits, workshops, and public events.
Continuing a Tradition of Latvian Artistic Support
The Kim? Residency Award has been presented annually since , with the goal of fostering the professional growth and international recognition of Latvian artists. This marks the seventh collaboration between Kim? and ISCP to facilitate a residency in New York. Previous recipients of the award include Darja Meļņikova, Ieva Epnere, Ieva Kraule, Diāna Tamane, Maija Kurševa, Krišs Salmanis, and Jānis Dzirnieks. The award represents a significant opportunity for Latvian artists to broaden their horizons and gain valuable international experience.
Exploring Photography and Spirituality
Agate Tūna is an interdisciplinary artist specializing in analogue and experimental photography, extending her practice into installation, video, and sound. Her work explores the relationship between spirituality and technology from a woman’s perspective. She employs techniques such as film soups, chemigrams, and photograms, adopting a research-based approach to question and connect the realms of reality and fiction. Tūna’s artistic practice was first noted by the Kim? team while working on the festival, “New Address: Eden,” and her work has continued to evolve since then.
A New Body of Work in New York
During her residency at ISCP, Tūna will develop a new body of work based on analogue and experimental photography, combined with research into the history of paranormal and spiritual photography. The project will focus on unresolved images, archival imperfections, and materials with alternative forms of memory, viewing photography as a mutable and performative medium. Analogue experiments and cameraless photographic techniques will serve as a foundation for exploring the “afterlife” of images and the processes by which they are preserved, transformed, or lost.
Supported by the Vija Celmiņš Foundation
For the second consecutive year, the residency is supported by the Vija Celmiņš Foundation, covering studio costs. This demonstrates a significant commitment to supporting emerging Latvian artists and providing them with the resources to work in a world-class art environment. The foundation’s support underscores the importance of fostering artistic talent and facilitating international exchange.
Future Exhibition Planned
Following the completion of her residency, Tūna is scheduled to return to Kim? to present her first solo exhibition at the institution in the summer of . Kim? program director Zane Onckule expressed delight at the selection of Tūna, noting the continued development of her artistic practice and her ability to illuminate new facets within the complex interplay of technology, corporeality, and spirituality. The exhibition will offer a platform for Tūna to showcase the work developed during her residency and further establish her presence in the contemporary art world.
Agate Tūna’s selection for the Kim? Residency Award represents a significant step in her career and a testament to the growing recognition of Latvian artists on the international stage. The residency at ISCP promises to be a transformative experience, providing her with the space, resources, and network to further develop her unique artistic vision.
