As the purchase of new homes in Latvia is clearly increasing, people more and more tend to think and talk about smart homes, designer kitchens, perfect interiors. But the true “soul” of a home still comes from the people and art is one of the strongest ways to express that. Let’s do it: (young) Latvian art in every (new) Latvian home!
Buying a home is a major and important investment, something most people prepare for over a long time, and often do only once in their lives. Moving into a new home is a moment that stays with you forever but have you considered that, alongside a new sofa or refrigerator, it might be a piece of art that creates a far more powerful and lasting memory? A gift you give yourself when you move into a new home. At the same time, it’s also a gift you give to Latvia and its cultural history.
Every month nearly thousand families in Latvia buy a new home. If, starting tomorrow, each of those families also bought a work by an Latvian artist, Latvian art would flourish and diversify many times over compared to today. If the average new home costs €150,000 and even 1% of that went toward buying art — well, actually, even half a percent could work wonders.
People in Latvia buy local food every day to support domestic farmers, and investors buy shares in local companies because they are “our own.” We happily watch Latvian films in cinemas and, fortunately, still read books in Latvian. So let’s agree today: we will also buy Latvian art. At least one piece for every new home. And of course, it can also be for older homes — and more than one piece, too.
Over the years, I’ve helped build homes for nearly a couple of thousand families, and I’ve also, whenever possible, acquired works by local artists. Believe me, a piece of art on your wall is a sign of wealth — but not in the financial sense. It’s a much “stronger currency.” For me, contemporary local art is something that connects me to the world around me — a dialogue with those who live and breathe in the same cultural space, who feel the same beauty and pain, the same joys and concerns.
Every million-euro view still needs a soul
At a time when one smart home tries to outdo another with modern technical gadgets, the true “operating system” of a home is still the feeling of home — and art is what gives a space its character. Unlike those beautiful but mass-produced images found in thousands of homes around the world, a painting, print, or sculpture by a local young artist is unique.
Of course, it’s also an investment that preserves and grows in value — especially for you personally. And it’s clear that as an asset class, art can outperform several others in terms of value growth. From my own experience, I can say you shouldn’t be intimidated by news about record-breaking auction prices. There are actually many artists and many works out there, and everyone can certainly find something affordable for their new home.
Believe me, none of this is as complicated or elitist as it might seem, nor is it a hobby reserved for a select few. Once you get past the initial hesitation, you realize that beauty lies entirely in the eye of the beholder. For your home, you can choose exactly the kind of artwork that speaks to you.
You are the foremost art expert of your own home — and that’s exactly the point. A new home is always a kind of new beginning, and that makes it especially fitting to include a work by a young artist at the start of their creative journey.
A new home is a new beginning. Bring Latvian art into it — and support those who shape our cultural future. Let’s do it: (young) Latvian art in every (new) Latvian home!