BIO

Skuja Braden is the collaborative identity formed in 1999 by artists Ingūna Skuja from
Latvia and Melissa Braden from California. They share a passion for porcelain and an
interest in decorative arts, literature, and art history. Their work blends tradition with
contemporary innovation, challenging conventional notions of individual authorship
and fixed identity. By transforming porcelain—a material associated with refinement—
they create expressive pieces that explore the intersections of painting and sculpture,
order and chaos, and personal versus collective narratives.
Their breakthrough came with the Samsara exhibition at the Design and Decorative Art
Museum in Rīga, Latvia, in 2020, which garnered national recognition, including the
Kilogram of Kulture Award for Best Visual Artists and a nomination for the Purviša Balva.
In 2022, they represented Latvia at the 59th Venice Biennale with Selling Water by the
River, an installation featuring over 300 porcelain pieces, reflecting the chaotic beauty
of a storm-blown home interior, earning critical acclaim worldwide.
With over 180 national and international group shows and more than 50 solo exhibitions
in cities such as New York City, Milan, Istanbul, and Zagreb, Skuja Braden’s creations

continue to captivate audiences around the globe, finding a home in both prestigious
public institutions and discerning private collections, while challenging viewers to
reconsider the boundaries of art, identity, and creative expression.

CONTACT

EMAIL - skujabraden@gmail.com