‘Ouroboros’ – Una Mikuda: Contemporary Jewellery

On 3 April at 18.00, the exhibition ‘Ouroboros’ by contemporary jewellery artist Una Mikuda will open at the independent space ‘Smilga’ (Eduarda Smiļģa iela 34A), and will be on view until the end of April. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to get to know Mikuda’s creative world, where art, design and the body merge. ‘Jewellery as objects for the body,’ says Una about her work.

Una Mikuda is one of the most prominent contemporary jewellery artists in Latvia, whose works reflect philosophical and aesthetic reflections on the meaning of jewellery, its relationship with the body and space. Una’s work has previously been shown in solo exhibitions (in Riga and Aluksne) and in Latvian Jewellery Art Association group exhibitions. The most recent of which was ‘Touch-Sensitive’, which was awarded with ‘Kilogram of Culture 2025’ in the category ‘Visual Art’. Mikuda’s works have been acquired by the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design.

During the exhibition, following events will be offered to raise discussion on the relationship between jewellery, the body and space.

5 April, 13.00 – a contemporary dance performance, developed with dancers by choreographer Agate Bankava, will offer a new perspective on the interaction of jewellery and the body in movement.

17 April, 18.00 – discussion ‘Human, Object, Space’. Inese Baranovska (head of the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, curator), Jana Kukaine (Dr.art, RSU Senior Researcher and curator of feminist art related projects) and Zane Tetere-Šulce (founder of the architectural practice OAD, leading architect and designer) will discuss the relationship of jewellery with fashion and the body; philosophers’ fear of fashion, as well as the risks associated with jewellery and assertion of social status. “One of the ways to talk about developing narrative in craft is to record the movements of the body (and hand tools) in material. Wearing jewellery on the body is another phase of story development. Can we say that jewellery is used not to adorn, but to create a personality?” questions Ginta Grube, curator of the exhibition.

24 April, 18.00 – artist talks with the creative team – meeting the artist Una Mikuda, the architect Dāvis Gasuls, the artist Modris Svilāns and the exhibition curator Ginta Grūbe, visitors will get an insight into the making of the exhibition as well as its technical and artistic aspects.

The unifying symbol of ‘Ouroboros’ is a circular line, like a sculptured necklace, symbolising infinity and cyclicity. Likewise the mythical serpent that eats its own tail – Ouroboros – an ancient mystical symbol that traditionally represents the Sky, the Universe and Eternity.

The exhibition will be on view from 4 – 29 April at the Smilga space, Eduarda Smiļģa iela 34A, Riga. Opening hours M-O: closed, T-F: 14.00-19.00, S-Sv: 13.00-18.00. Opening hours vary on event days, more information on Smilga FB page.

The exhibition is supported by VKKF, Lielvārdes alus, Mūrbūdu cider brewery and information partner t/c ‘Spice’.