Photo: Iveta Gabalina
Liāna Ivete Žilde
Curator and PhD student, Art Academy of Latvia/ ISSP
Biography
Liāna Ivete Žilde is a researcher, curator, and PhD student at the Art Academy of Latvia, with a specific interest in intersections between historical and contemporary photography, and the social dimensions of the image. She currently serves as a board member and curator at ISSP, a self-inititated, collaborative platform for contemporary photography in Riga, functioning primarily as a non-profit exhibition and educational space.
Her curatorial practice often explores archival narratives, marginalized histories and material culture, highlighted by the exhibition series Contemporary Histories of Photography (ISSP Gallery, 2024). Has collaborated with the Latvian Museum of Photography, Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University, the National Library of Latvia, Talka Books, Riga Photography Biennial and more.
A regular contributor to Baltic cultural media, including Wunderkombinat Latvian Art Yearbook. Recently served on the jury for the inaugural Annual Art Award of Latvia (2025). Extending her curatorial and creative practice, together with Anete Ušča, she co-produces the podcast Augsne, analyzing contemporary local cultural processes, and is co-author of the book Baltic Stories. A guide to spaces of culture and the people behind them (Urban Institute, Culture Crab, 2021).
Holds MA degrees in Curatorial Studies (Art Academy of Latvia, 2023) and Social Anthropology (University of Latvia, 2011).
