In 2025 I went to Japan
I was selected for an art residency at EXPO 2025 through European Commission which was a crazy opportunity. My residency was for 4 weeks and to extend my stay to learn more about Japanese culture, crafts and experience the place as much as I can - I launched this support campaign. This opportunity as grand and obvious “yes“ was, it meant taking an unpaid leave and covering both my time in Japan and ongoing costs at home. For the donations in return I wrote about my travels and experiences, hosted a meet and greet and an embroidery workshop, but now I have this diary archive that still informs my practice today.
Keep my research going
for a 10 euro donation, you get access to 6 weeks of diary entries
Your donation supports Studio EM, a Latvian non-profit that fosters contemporary embroidery
What was this residency about?
I was there for 4 weeks splitting my time between: Tokyo for a week and 3 weeks in Kamakura. I was researching and immersing myself in their version of a microrayon — danchi and learned ikebana, but to get the whole story you have to watch this video :)
Why donate?
Fuel my creative growth
And keep my reseach in Japanese traditional embroidery, post-war housing danchi and ikebana ongoing.
Get an insight into an artistic practice
What happens in an art residency, what are the behind the scenes, how I made the artwork and had my first exhibition in Japan, and the big deal — visiting the EXPO site in Osaka.