For the first time, the Riga Porcelain Museum will host an exhibition of works by artist Gajana Agadzanjana. For this exhibition “The New Life of Riga Porcelain”, the artist has painted porcelain forms created by her father, long-time leading designer of the Riga Porcelain Factory Levon Agadzanjan (1940–1999).

 

The solo exhibition will feature the artist's latest works, as well as a selection of works from earlier periods, especially the 1990s. All the works are united by the fact that the painted works are made on the widely circulated products of the Riga Porcelain Factory developed by Levon Agadznjan, as well as his lesser-known author's forms.

 

Gajana Agadzanjana's creative handwriting is distinguished by bright colors, a wide palette of tones and exotic themes, in which one can see references to the aesthetics and cultural heritage of the homeland of porcelain - China, Japan and other ancient cultures, as well as the flora and fauna characteristic of European porcelain art. The works also include playful stylizations and modern, comical typologies.

 

The fate of Gajana Agadzanjana (1966) is closely connected with porcelain art. After studying at the Vera Mukhina Higher School of Industrial Arts and Crafts (the former Stiglitz Art School), she worked for two years at the Riga Porcelain Factory - at that time already AS "Rīgas Porcelāns", specializing in decoration works and the development of decors. However, she was familiar with the factory environment even before her studies – having spent time there under the auspices of her father, Levon Agadzanjan.

 

During the decline of the Riga Porcelain Factory in the 1990s, Gajana Agadzanjana, together with her former colleagues, artists Antonina Paškēvičs, Larisa Maksimenkova, Natalija Laminska and others, self-organized and tried to develop her niche in the new capitalist conditions. Porcelain art exhibitions were held, including commercial exhibitions, to attract the attention of foreign tourists and potential buyers. Later, her professional career took her to graphic design, but for many years now, Gajana Agadzanjana has returned to porcelain, porcelain painting and teaching at the studio she founded, “Gayana’s Art”.

 

The exhibition “The New Life of Riga Porcelain” is Gajana Agadzanjana's  tribute to her father – a tribute from a contemporary artist to a bygone era in Latvian porcelain art and production, as well as a bridge to the present and a look into the future, where porcelain artists will continue to work in Latvia – both the authors of the forms and those who paint them.

 

Levon Agadzanjan was one of the leading designers of his generation at the Riga Porcelain Factory, responsible for developing new product forms. Many iconic tea, coffee and lunch sets in porcelain and faience from the 1960s, 70s and 80s are the result of his imagination. He also created one of the last forms of tableware and small sculptures that the factory released in the last phase of its operation in the 1990s. One of the decorative vases he created is named after his daughter – “Gajane”.

 

With the financial support of the State Culture Capital Foundation (SCCF) and the Riga City Council, a fundamental monograph “Levons Agadžanjans” will be published at the turn of the year. The 368-page publication will be dedicated to the life of this designer, his creative legacy, and will also provide a unique insight into the artistic staff of the factory, which worked with the forms he created on a daily basis for three decades.

 

Meanwhile, with the support of the State Cultural Capital Foundation, a “Porcelain TV” video – an interview with Gajana Agadzanjana – will be available on the Youtube channel of the Riga Porcelain Museum.

 

The exhibition “The New Life of Riga Porcelain” will be on view at the museum from December 13, 2024 to February 9, 2025.