Scattered around the world, Nua Collective are a group of professional visual artists that collaborate together to create, share and support one another in their journey as artists. BLACKOUT marks their first physical exhibition and they are delighted to continue their international tour in Vent Space Projektiruum, Vabaduse Väljak 6-8, 10146, Tallinn, Estonia.
Presenting the works of 13 Nua Collective artists, the Blackout series looks at climate change through a particular lens—blackout. Or the loss of self security that comes from our reliance on unreliable energy. The works wrestle with our human responses to the insecurity inflicted by the anthropomorphic blackout. This exhibition of lino prints that are unique and in their creation and processing have already travelled the globe and will also feature the premiere of the Blackout Documentary screened at the space throughout the exhibition run. Together Nua Collective artists make an inquiry about our climate catastrophe and the energy crisis that we continue to face.
Exhibition Response:
**QUOTES FROM LATVIAN DIGNITARIES at our Official Opening in Jelgava, Latvia**
“Today, seeing that we will be talking about energy, about energy problems, I would like to say that energy really begins in each of us. Therefore, I would like this energy, which is both in us and in our fellow human beings, to be used for the creation of positivity. We also cannot forgo mentioning today what is happening with our neighbors, what is happening in Russia – that Russia is attacking Ukraine as an aggressor, and that is bad energy…”
Andris Raviņš, Jelgava City Mayor
Today we are talking about climate change, about energy challenges, about challenges that cannot be solved without the cooperation of states, municipalities, and each and every one of us. I will allow myself to quote Mr. Rāviņš, that energy begins within each and every one of us. The state, local government and artists can create an environment so that each one of us as an individual can make a decision on how to act. And art, especially that of artists with their contemporary perspective – their works do not require translation, they cannot force us to change our opinion. Thank you to Ireland for the opportunity to see their diverse culture.
May there be new challenges, artistic challenges, creative challenges!
Jeļena Šaicāne, Director of the Department of Social Integration of the Ministry of Culture
There are lots of fantastic relationships being built between Irish and Latvian people and they’re what we should celebrate because Irish people, we understand what it’s like to leave our country and to go and make our way in the world and I think Latvians understand that too. And seeing an exhibition like this come together because of both of you and all the other artists that you’ve brought together in the collective is an absolute perfect symbol of that relationship, of bringing people together, of creating something new, of looking at the challenges in the world and making something from it and making something positive to make us think.
Eimear Friel, Ambassador of Ireland to Latvia
The artists of the Nua collective direct our attention to the growing concerns of climate change and the energy crisis. Therefore, I wish that this exhibition inspires and encourages us all not to be afraid to take bold steps towards a more sustainable and harmonious future.
Ilga Grasmane, Head of the Jelgava Regional Tourism Center
Upcoming Tour Dates:
9th Dec 2023 – 2nd Jan 2024: Old Town House, Jelgava, Latvia
17th – 26th Jan 2024: Vent Space, Tallinn, Estonia
8th Feb – 2nd Mar 2024: Dr. Billy Colfer Gallery, Wexford Arts Centre, Ireland
7th Mar – 29th Mar 2024: Platform Space, Belfast, Northern Ireland
April 2024 – Dates TBC Ely Centre of Contemporary Art, New Haven, CT, USA
About Nua Collective:
What you will experience on this platform is a group of storytellers. Creators that have a voice through the most powerful media – a painting, a piece of sculpture, a photograph; an archive of something political, social, emotive, challenging, beautiful, courageous, creative.
In a time where how we view things is changing, Nua Collective aims to adapt to this new normal while retaining the humanistic interaction experienced in the physical world.
Since beginning in 2020, Nua Collective has seen 80 visual artists feature on our platform. All artists are living in Ireland or are linked to Ireland representing 8 different nationalities. Paintings, photography, sculpture textiles, film, digital media and ceramics are just some of the artforms presented by our members.
