On 29 May, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation presented a new gift to the city in honour of its 400th anniversary — a large-scale mural by artist Kristaps Tinte, titled “Laipnības patvērums” (Haven of Grace).
The colourful mural forms part of the exhibition “Bažas.Trakās dienas” (Concerns. Crazy Days), which joins the pan-European art campaign “CreArt Creative Europe”, a project that brings contemporary art into unexpected places across the continent.
This painting now adorns the freshly reopened courtyard of Liepāja Peter’s Market – a once-forgotten corner of the city, now reborn as a contemporary art space. Throughout May, Kristaps Tinte transformed the market’s wall into a layered artistic statement on modern consumption – using his signature visual language to speak of awareness and deliberate moderation as an antidote to the consumerist fever that grips modern life.
Curator Ieva Rubeze, shared her thoughts: “I have had the privilege of witnessing Kristaps’ artistic journey from his early days at Liepāja Music, Art and Design High School to his formative years at the Latvian Academy of Art. His return to Liepāja is a beautiful full-circle moment, and it’s truly inspiring to see him poised for this significant step in his professional career. As I watched his latest work take shape, an intriguing sense of familiarity washed over me. Its composition echoes the visual language of ancient Egyptian murals, that structured hierarchy of figures, where grand and modest forms coexist on the same plane, all speaking with symbolic imagery. The painting carries multiple dimensions – mystical forest spirits representing the spiritual realm, kvass drinkers embodying street culture and graffiti, and colour palettes that evoke the pixelated vibrancy of video game aesthetics.”
“This piece was made with its home in mind – Liepāja Peter’s Market. It ties into the exhibition’s theme of consumption. The market has always been part of my routine – whether as a shortcut on my daily bike rides or as the spot where we picked up our first hip-hop gear back in school. But beyond that, the work speaks to the way the market and nature interact. To me, this place is a haven of grace, where a quiet kind of goodness lingers in the air – like a sign of divine kindness woven into its everyday rhythm”, said Kristaps at the opening of his work.
The mural is not the only artistic intervention currently animating Peter’s Market.
Until 1 July, visitors can explore “Sirens’ Bathroom”, a series of provocative new works by Annemarija Gulbe, exhibited in the market’s fish pavilion. The exhibition is open during market hours on Monday to Saturday, 8:00–18:00 and on Sunday, 8:00–14:00. Admission is free.
“Concerns. Crazy Days” and the accompanying art programme are organised by Liepāja 2027 Foundation, with the support of Liepāja City Municipality, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia, and the Creative Europe programme through CreArt 3.0 #STRINGING_TOGETHER.
Released by:
Foundation “Liepāja 2027”
Digital Communications Project Manager
Elizabete Hartmane
Phone: + 371 25 993 399
E-mail: elizabete.hartmane@liepaja2027.lv
