A new exhibition featuring the work of Latvian visual artist Krista Vindberga Auzniece opened Friday at the Čehova Teātra Galerija (Chekhov Theatre Gallery) in Riga, despite a snowstorm. The exhibition, titled “OSCULUM. BASIUM. SUAVIUM,” explores themes of touch, time, and intimacy in contemporary art.
Gallery curator Laura Groza stated that the exhibition is the ninth in a series marking the gallery’s approach to its third anniversary in May. “With admirable regularity, three exhibitions a year, we celebrate a festival of contemporary art, inviting some of the most outstanding artists of our generation,” Groza said at the opening, as reported by Latvian news outlet santa.lv. “This will be the ninth exhibition, and we will be delighted to raise the curtain for an artist who has as well closely developed her work both with the theatre and with contemporary art – Krista Vindberga Auzniece.”
Vindberga Auzniece works in a variety of media, including drawing, painting, video, installation, and scenography. Her artistic interests center on the fluidity of time and memory, as well as the intangible – silence, emptiness, and unrealized potential. The interplay between personal and collective memory is also a significant element in her work, according to santa.lv.
The exhibition’s title, referencing the Latin words for kiss, suggests a focus on connection and closeness. Vindberga Auzniece’s work often incorporates a tactile quality, with light, shadow, texture, and the physical properties of materials serving as metaphors and creating a deliberate experience for the viewer. She has previously exhibited her work at Kim? Contemporary Art Centre and Gallery Alma in Riga, as well as Gallery Kogo in Tartu, and has participated in international projects and biennials.
The opening of the exhibition comes shortly after Vindberga Auzniece’s recent marriage to composer Kristis Auznieks, as reported by Latvian news website jauns.lv on December 7, 2025. Auznieks was previously in a relationship with pianist Roberts Flaics. Vindberga Auzniece was previously married to Latvian artist Reinis Dzudzilo.
Vindberga Auzniece’s work is held in public and private collections, including the Latvian National Museum of Art.
