The exhibition “Sculpture in Porcelain” is dedicated to the medium of sculpture and offers visitors the opportunity to explore rare artworks from the collections of the Latvian National Museum of Art, the Latvian Artists Union Museum, and the Riga Porcelain Museum, as well as from the Piebalga Porcelain Factory and private collections. Visitors will have the chance to view sculptures made from various materials, including porcelain, created by twelve significant Latvian artists.

The aim of the exhibition “Sculpture in Porcelain” is to focus on the medium of sculpture and the richness of Latvian culture, while also expanding the understanding of porcelain's role and possibilities in artistic creation. The exhibition will feature works by artists such as Aleksandra Briede, Rasma Bruzīte, Georgs Kruglovs, Rimma Pancehovska, Viktorija Pelše, Olga Penerdži, Elfrīda Aldonija Pole-Āboliņa, Margarita Siliņa, Leons Tomašickis, Ēvī Upeniece, Teodors Zaļkalns and Mārtiņš Zaurs.

Small-scale sculpture, often popularly referred to as figurines, is a well-known genre in porcelain art and industry. Many homes are adorned with small porcelain representations of animals, folk maidens, and various literary or fairy tale characters. Notable artists like Rimma Pancehovska, Leja Novožeņeca, Vera Veisa, Aina Mellupe, and others have created widely produced sculptural forms in the Riga Porcelain Factory over various periods. These works are regularly exhibited in the Riga Porcelain Museum's permanent collection. However, less known is the fact that these creators also expressed their skills in three-dimensional form-making in other materials and scales, particularly if they were academically trained sculptors. Medals, portraits, memorial sculpture, and even monuments have been made using stones like granite, marble, travertine, metals such as bronze, aluminum, copper, and brass, as well as the aesthetic possibilities offered by various types of wood. The “Sculpture in Porcelain” exhibition will provide visitors the opportunity to see lesser-known works of well-known porcelain artists in different materials.

A special emphasis of the exhibition is on the works of famous Latvian sculptors in ceramic materials. The form-making of Teodors Zaļkalns in porcelain, the duplication of statues created by Ēvī Upeniece in bronze or marble in faience, as well as the characteristic figures of Aleksandra Briedes and Rasma Bruzīte transitioning from granite to bronze, and from bronze to porcelain, will be highlighted. The larger works of Latvian sculptors are commonly found in public spaces across various Latvian cities, making the creative biography of Leons Tomašickis particularly interesting. Additionally, their decorative designs can be seen in the interiors and exteriors of buildings, exemplified by the works of Mārtiņš Zauras and Aldonija Poles-Āboliņa; however, a lesser-known yet intriguing aspect is their small-scale works, particularly in porcelain.

The exhibition “Sculpture in Porcelain” will take place at the Riga Porcelain Museum from August 16, 2024, to October 13, 2024. It will be accompanied by printed informational materials onsite and content on the museum’s online channels, which will further explore the themes of sculpture and porcelain, introducing visitors to the artists, collections, and history.