MARTINSONS AWARD 2025
International Juried Exhibition of the 5th Latvia Ceramics Biennale
The fifth edition of the Latvia Ceramics Biennale has once again transformed the country into a global magnet for ceramic artists and enthusiasts. Its rich and thoughtfully curated programme presents the latest artistic achievements in the field and paints a striking picture of the medium’s vitality and extraordinary breadth.
At the heart of the Biennale lies its principal event – the international juried exhibition “Martinsons Award”, a tribute to the legacy and impact of Pēteris Martinsons (1931–2013), the distinguished Latvian ceramicist, innovator, and educator. This year’s call drew 941 submissions from 69 countries. From these, an international panel of experts selected 80 outstanding pieces representing 30 nations, including 23 by Latvian artists. The exhibition embraces the entire spectrum of creative expression – from technically sophisticated compositions that impress with superior craftsmanship and mature conceptual depth, to more experimental forms where clay itself dictates character and rhythm, revealing the poetic qualities in human skill and the material’s organic nature.
The Biennale theme, “From Stardust to Lush Sprouts”, evokes our common origins in cosmic matter and the unending path of transformation – from the universe’s earliest primordial elements to life and culture. In ceramics, this creation story resonates with particular force as clay, one of humanity’s most ancient materials, becomes a lasting testament to the aesthetics, knowledge, imagination, and artistic vision of our time.
The Biennale jury included:
Aivars Baranovskis (Latvia) – curator of the Latvian Ceramics Biennale, artist
Claudia Casali (Italy) – Director of the International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza
Kristine Michael (India) – independent curator and researcher
Leeji Choi (South Korea) – curator at the Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art
Weronika Surma (Poland) – artist and educator, organiser of the ICST Triennial
The Biennale is organised by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Ceramics in collaboration with the Rothko Museum.
Curated by Aivars Baranovskis and Valentīns Petjko.
Supported by the State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia and Lighton International Artist Exchange Program.
On view at the Rothko Museum from 5 September 2025 to 1 February 2026.
Publicity image: the Biennale’s visual identity
