Some of the artist's most notable work include his project Pink House (together with Aigars Bikše) presented at the 51st Venice Biennale, Italy;[1] the Monument to Freedom (2018) in Belgium,[1] and ThePine Trees of Rainis (Raiņa Priedes; 2014) in Latvia[2] commemorating the famous Latvian poet and playwright Rainis.
Gulbis has lectured at various US universities and art centres across Europe, Asia and the US. Some of the most notable include the University of Southern California (UCSC) and the University of New Mexico.[3] In 2012 Gulbis was the SPARC's International Artist in Residence and has collaborated with the Bank of America, CEC Artslink, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), the McColl Center for Art and Innovation and other international institutions. He has been the Leitrim Sculpture Centre artist-in-residence in Ireland, as well as one in Sapporo, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy, Austria, the United States, South Korea, Taiwan and other countries.
Career
In 1991 Gulbis graduated the Estonian Academy of Arts and since have been active in the international art scene. His first solo exhibition in 1992 in Riga was quickly followed by the second in 1993. Shortly after in 1996 his work could already be seen in Italy, Poland, Moscow and Germany before spreading to a wider international scene encompassing the US, Asia and the rest of Europe.
In 2016 Gulbis co-founded the design company Kiel Arto Design in collaboration with P.Kalnins adapting an innovative, unique and environmentally friendly approach to product design and functional art. Kiel Arto Design was showcased in the 2017 and 2018 Architectural Digest Design Show in New York City, US[4][5][6][7] and the ICFF in Miami and was handpicked by Architectural Digest as one of the '17 On-the-Rise Designers You Should Know Now' about.[8]
As a recognised artist Gulbis has appeared as a speaker, guest and expert in various TV and radio shows, publications, discussions, talks and debates.[9][10]
Kristaps Gulbis has been exhibited alongside numerous recognised artists, as well as being solo exhibited in art centres, museums and public spaces, and produced nationally and internationally recognised monuments and sculptures. He has been portrayed by Lisa Esherick.[11]
Projects and monuments
The Teodors Hermanovskis Monument (2020), Monument, Jaunjelgava, Latvia[12]
The Jūrmala White Seagull (Jūrmalas baltā kaija; 2020), an environmental object, Latvia[13]
Monument to Freedom (2018), Monument to Latvian Legionnaires and Freedom, Zedelgem, Belgium[14]
ThePine Trees of Rainis (Raiņa Priedes, 2014), Monument, Amatas street, Jūrmala[2][15][16]
CacheArt,[17] a contemporary art form created by Gulbis, based on GPS utilisation leading to mixed interactive and observative contemporary art.
Pink House Project (2006), Ludwig Museum - Museum of Contemporary Art, Budapest, Hungary[26]
Freedom is so Sweet (2003), Solo Exhibition, Origo, Riga, “S.A.S.E.” and Sapnu Fabrika, Riga, Latvia.
King-size Seat (2001), Solo Exhibition, Aldaru Street, Riga, Latvia.
The Summer of my Homeland (1998), Solo Exhibition, The Gallery of Latvian Artists Union, Riga, Latvia.
European Province Collection (1996), Solo Exhibition, The Gallery of Latvian Artists Union, Riga, Latvia.
The Scaffold (Ešafots; 1993), Solo Exhibition, Multimedium sculpture, The 2nd French - Baltic videoart festival, Galleria Riga, Latvia[27] Later (1995) exhibited on the Danish ship Kronborg.[28]
Identification of Everyday Ideas (1992), Solo Exhibition, Sculptors Centre, Riga, Latvia.
Collaborative exhibitions
Kinship Scripts (2018), Collaborative; Showcasing the Gulbis's Latvian artist dynasty, Art gallery Museum LV, culture centre GrataJJ, Latvia[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]
Wilderness (Savvaļa, 2018); Collaborative exhibition (vs Aivars Gulbis, M. Gulbis, B.Gulbis); Showcasing the Latvian artist dynasty of Gulbis family, Latvia[37]
Big Kiss (2015), Collaborative exhibition, Sound of Sormland, Sweden[38]
The Free Press Club (2015), Art station Dubulti, Latvia[39]
CacheArt. Is this one real? (2014), Environmental Art Park Ii, Finland[21]
European Cultural Canon (2013), Riga, Latvia
CacheArt. 14th Street (2012), AiOP (Art in Odd Places), an internationally recognised large-scale art festival, New York City, US[19][20]
My Little Secret (2012), Skulpturenpark Katzow, Germany[40]
Listen to Me with Eyes (2011), CIAC Centro Internazionale per l'Arte Contemporanea, Rome, Italy[41]
Hear Me Out (2011), CIAC Centro Internazionale per l'Arte Contemporanea, Genazzano, Italy[42][43]
Drifting Identity Station (2011), open space, Vienna, Austria[44][45]
4 x Gulbis (2010); Collaborative exhibition (vs A.Gulbis, M.Gulbis and B.Gulbe), Siguldas Tower, Sigulda, Latvia[46]
Monument to People of Riga – the First Crossers of the Lielupe River and The Train Hasn't Left Yet (2010), Lielupe, Latvia.
Artist-in-residence (1997), Grizedale Sculpture Park, England, UK[69]
Curating
The Train Hasn't Left Yet (2010), 8 railway stations connecting Riga and Jūrmala, Curator, Latvia.
European Space Sculpture Quadrennial Riga (2008); Contemporary in-city art project, Curator, The Centre for Art Management and Information (MMIC).[70]
Generation Europe and Pink House (2005); Curator, Venice Biennale, Italy; Bremen, Germany; Łódź, Poland; Budapest, Hungary; Birmingham, UK; Riga, Latvia.
European Space Sculpture Quadrennial Riga (2004), 75 artists and institutions, 25 countries; Contemporary in-city art project, Curator, The Centre for Art Management and Information (MMIC).[71][72][73][74][75]
Personal and early life
In 1967 Kristaps Gulbis was born into the notable Latvian artist family Gulbis.[21] His parents are Aivars Gulbis, the famous Latvian sculptor and artist, and Agija Sūna, the long-time LTV journalist, former ballerina and the founder and owner of the private art gallery Asūna.[76][77] He has two sisters, also artists. Some of the family's extended history is depicted in the memoirs In-between the Laws of Five Powers (Starp piecu varu likumiem) by Gulbis's grandfather, first published in 2018.[78]
In 1994 Gulbis married the TV and radio personality, producer and director Daina Jāņkalne. Together they have 3 children, Gustavs Gulbis, Paulīna Klīva Gulbe and Amēlija Gulbe.[79][80] Their current family residence is in Latvia.
Activism
In 2020 Gulbis together with a group of other Latvian artists started a political movement against the newly reformed Latvian Government law proposed to change artists' royalties.[81][82][83][84] The movement resulted in multiple pop-art projects, flash mobs and public discussions.[85][86] Broadcast by the Latvian National Television, Gulbis met on-air with the Minister of Culture of LatviaNauris Puntulis to discuss the topic[87] and later attended a closed-door meeting with the President of LatviaEgils Levits.[88]
The movement resulted in successfully reforming the proposed royalties' law.
Awards and prizes
CEC ArtsLink Grant (2010), New York, U.S.
Scholarship of the Culture Capital Foundation (2003), Riga, Latvia.
Latvia UNESCO-Aschberg Scholarship (2000); The culture capital foundation Riga, Latvia.
Artslink Independent Partnership Program Grant (1999), Artslink, New York, U.S.
KKF Grant (1998), Riga, Latvia.
Artist of the Year (1997), The Gold Medal of Latvian Artists Union.
Publications
The mentions of Gulbis's work and life can be found in various publications. A non-exhaustive list as follows:
Sūna, J. (2018) In-between the Laws of Five Powers (Starp piecu varu likumiem). Memoirs, p224. Riga: Jumava.[78]
Slava, L. (2001). Digital Archive, Archive Catalogue and Library Catalogue of BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and BALTIC's Project Space, 47.[89]