Photographer Eva Strazdiņa explores history of Padure's ceramics village and its people

Riga photographer Eva Strazdiņa has chosen to work this year in Padure, a village bordering land belonging to her husband's family in Zlēkas. She has previously taken part in art projects both individually and in groups, including a collaboration with the Cēsis Society of the Blind at Rucka manor and research into sailors' experiences in Liepāja.

For this project, Strazdiņa is staying at Padure manor, a building she had previously known only from the film "Pansija pilī." The room initially assigned to her on the manor's second floor seemed dark, but the manor's owner, Jānis Lazdāns, assured her that sunlight would fill the space in the evenings. During her stay she was visited by her husband, their son, and her mother.

Researching ceramics history

Strazdiņa began her work by consulting the Digital Library, where she found extensive material on the "Venta" ceramics plant, once part of the "Latvijas keramika" association, which had driven active production and community life in Padure. She interviewed ceramicist Dzidra Strigune, who still lives and works in the ceramics village, as well as Alise Volanska, whose book "Padures mozaīka" the manor's owner recommended she read. Volanska also guided her through the local exhibition on ceramics history.

Strazdiņa also met entrepreneur Amanda Lutere, who several years ago founded the brand "Amanord" at the former ceramics factory, handcrafting clay tiles with plant imprints that are popular among foreign buyers.

From layers to collage

Strazdiņa is compiling her material in collage form, following the project's theme "Layers." She is particularly interested in the role of women in ceramics, a field historically dominated by men. In Padure she also led a collage workshop for local children and young people. The project's closing event and photo presentation are planned for September 25 at the manor's granary building.