Skuja Braden

Biography

Skuja Braden, pseudonym of the international collaborative duo Ingūna Skuja (Latvia) and Melissa D. Braden (USA), they live and work together in Riga, Latvia. The artists, who represented Latvia in the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022, have been working in tandem for more than two decades, achieving an extraordinary craftsmanship in the complex medium of porcelain. Dense with multiple meanings and saturated with humor and wit, their elaborate sculptures populate an exuberant universe that amalgamates queer and feminist perspectives, autobiographical and cross-cultural references, transhistorical and political concerns.

Skuja Braden represented Latvia in the 59th Venice Biennale (2022) and has taken part of the GUANGZHOU TRIENNIAL, GUANGDONG MUSEUM, GUANGZHOU (2023). their work as been exhibited internationally in solo exhibitions such as Karaköy, Istanbul (2023); VV Foundation, Pavilosta (2022); Rīga’s Porcelain Museum, Rīga (2013); Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland (2009); Museum of History and Art, Aizkraukle (2017, 2010, 2006).

Their work has been included in several group exhibitions as Pera Museum, Istanbul (2023); Latvian National Museum, Riga (2023); Zuzeum, Riga (2023); Whitechapel Gallery, London (2022); Museumlv, riga (2020); latvian contemporary art center, riga (2019); international teapot exhibition, shanghai (2017); WESTERWALD KERAMIKE MUSEUM, Höhr-Grenzhausen (2016); RIGA’S PORCELAIN MUSEUM, RIGA (2016); FONDAZIONE GIORGIO CINI, VENICE (2015).

Skuja Braden’s work is in many permanent collections, including those of Kistefos Museum, Jevnaker; Latvian National Museum of Art, Riga; Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Riga; Riga Porcelain Museum, Riga; Changchun International Ceramic Center, Changchu; Daugavpils clay art center, Daugavpils and Zuzeum art centre, Riga.