“Baltic artists do not always seek spectacle. Instead, they often invite contemplation, nuance and deeper engagement,” says Vita Liberte. As co-founder of VV Foundation, working alongside art enthusiasts Vilnis Štrams and Jānis Borgs, she is building a platform from which to champion the careers of artists from the Baltic region far beyond its geographical bounds, while maintaining its singular socio-economic and creative identity. She adds, “Artists from our region often work from a place of deep reflection, historical awareness, and sensitivity to the complexities of identity, memory, and belonging. The Baltic countries have experienced enormous change within a relatively short period of history. As a result, many artists have developed a unique ability to speak about universal themes through very personal and local experiences. There is often a quiet confidence in Baltic art, a willingness to ask difficult questions without necessarily raising one’s voice.”
Courtesy of VV Foundation.
Founded in 2018, VV Foundation has assembled a collection of around 500 artworks, but it is more than a collection, and Liberte promises more than your average collector. Recognised as one of Latvia’s most prominent lawyers, she navigates the art world with the conviction of someone whose belief in the essential cultural value of artistic expression is as uncompromising as her professional drive. “For me, being a collector has never been simply about acquiring artworks,” she explains. “It is about building relationships; with artists, with ideas, and with the cultural narrative of our time. I consciously see myself as someone who helps create connections and opportunities. Through collecting, supporting artists, and the work of the VV Foundation, I try to contribute to an environment where creativity can flourish and where talented artists can reach audiences both locally and internationally.”
Courtesy of PAiR/VV Foundation.
The foundation has already made significant contributions to the art world at an international level, while putting down notable roots in home soil. At the 61st Venice Biennale, which opened in May this year among a blaze of headlines focused on the clashing yet inseparable worlds of art and politics, creative duo Mārīte Mastiņa Pēterkopa and Rolands Pēterkops, known as Mareunrol’s, brought the Latvian pavilion to life with a project supported by VV Foundation. Titled Untamed Assembly: Backstage of Utopia, the installation is a dialogue with the archives of Untamed Fashion Assemblies (UFA): a series of experimental fashion, art and performance events held in Riga between 1990 and 1999 that were initiated by alternative fashion designer Bruno Birmanis. It articulates the events as spaces where freedom was tested through clothing, the body, collaboration and daring, spotlighting the ways utopian thinking shapes moments of transition.
Courtesy of PAiR/VV Foundation.
At home in Latvia, within the picture-perfect coastal town of Pāvilosta, the foundation invites Baltic artists to find inspiration within the walls of the PAiR residency space. With a generous offering that includes a dedicated exhibition space, living quarters, studios and communal areas, set among a beautifully cared for garden, the house was originally built in 1901 and has been delicately restored and maintained by the VV Foundation team. Alongside the exchange-driven residency programme—which is invitation only, save for one annual open call—PAiR also hosts workshops and public events, offering its creative affections to the local community as well as visitors to the area.
Courtesy of PAiR/VV Foundation.
The work of VV Foundation appears as a love letter to both the past, present and future of Baltic arts, positioning the Latvian capital as a European art hub on the rise. The second edition of Riga Contemporary Art Fair took place 2-5 July 2026, with more than 40 exhibiting galleries and a talks programme packed with internationally-recognised voices that, of course, featured Liberte, whose connection to the Baltic art scene at a grass roots level is increasingly evident as she refers to artists, their practices and their studios with encyclopaedic knowledge.
As part of the programme, the collector and foundation co-founder moderated a discussion on the role of foundations as a tool for art scene development. Speaking to 10DE she reflects on the impact of her work as a key pillar of VV Foundation, “What makes me most proud is not any single project but the community and connections we have helped create. When I founded the foundation my ambition was to contribute to a stronger ecosystem for contemporary art and culture; to bring people together and open doors that might otherwise remain closed. Culture develops over time, and meaningful impact is rarely immediate. What gives me the greatest satisfaction is knowing that the foundation is helping build long-term relationships and creating conditions in which creativity can thrive. That, to me, is the most valuable contribution we can make.”
Text MILLY BURROUGHS.
