‘Forest Evenings’ by Iveta Gabaliņa on view at ISSP Gallery

From February 12 until April 16, ISSP Gallery will host the solo exhibition ‘Forest Evenings’ by photographer Iveta Gabaliņa. The exhibition addresses the disappearance of forests and reflects on the role of humans in processes related to both the biological and cultural dimensions of forests. The opening will take place on February 12 from 12.00 until 20.00 at ISSP Gallery in Riga.

So-called old forests, which are responsible for crucial ecological processes, are becoming extinct as an ecological form both in Latvia and across Europe. In public discourse, old forests are often perceived as symbolically and emotionally valuable; however, in forestry practice they are considered economically less valuable. As a result of human activity, old forests are rapidly disappearing from the landscape.

Forest Evenings explores alternative ways of perceiving the forest – not only as a means of protecting its biological functions, but also as a way of recognizing the forest’s role in human survival. The exhibition invites viewers to see themselves as part of the biological world rather than separate from it.

Iveta Gabaliņa’s photographic works highlight important parallels between the forest body and the female body. Both reveal a tension between idealization and exploitation. The artist proposes viewing the forest as an autonomous, living, and breathing entity rather than a resource serving human needs. In doing so, the exhibition encourages visitors to consider themselves as part of the forest body as well.

Iveta Gabaliņa is a practicing photographer, curator, and photography teacher, as well as the director and co-founder of ISSP Gallery. She studied photography at Andrejs Grants’ studio and at Arts University Bournemouth, and holds a master’s degree in Photography from Aalto University in Helsinki. She has received numerous international awards, including C/O Berlin Talents 2013, the Burn Magazine Award, and the CDS Documentary Photography Award, as well as nominations for major competitions such as the Sony World Photography Awards and the Leica Oskar Barnack Award. Her work is included in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and Deutsche Börse Bank.

The exhibition opening will take place on February 12 from 12.00 to 20.00 at ISSP Gallery in Riga. Everyone is welcome to attend, view the exhibition, and meet the artist.

Exhibition co-curator: Aleksejs Beļeckis

The exhibition is supported by Riga City Council and the State Culture Capital Foundation.