Rooted Patterns

Culture and heritage are the living tapestries of people, the autobiographies of communities that weave together stories of identity and tradition. Though these elements hold a profound permanence in collective memory, they often remain invisible in the modern world. 

Embedded within Latvian culture are craft traditions and deep-rooted stories. For Madara, these craft traditions are not merely artefacts but vital connections to her Latvian identity. Rooted Patterns serves as an autobiographical response, using embroidery to symbolise the repair and continuity of both cultural and personal identity, bridging past and present. 

This installation invites viewers to explore a selection of Latvian patterns. Sourced from Edvards Paegle's Latvju Rakstu Ābecīte (1939), each pattern reveals its significance. The fabric sculptures demonstrate how these patterns can be transformed into more complex and intricate ornate forms like the ones found in Latvian folk costumes.