Artūrs Analts

Artūrs Analts made a swift entrance into the Latvian design scene, forging a truly contemporary path. First, he mastered the fundamentals of Latvian art and design, followed by recognition from a prestigious English design school renowned in Europe and worldwide. In between these two periods of study, he was honoured with the title of Latvia's Best New Designer of the Year in 2011. This inspired him to pursue further education, broaden his horizons, and take bolder steps into the future. Artūrs Analts now acknowledges that his choice was the right one, as the London college "primarily teaches students to think critically – why they do what they do, who will need it, and for whom it will be beneficial."

The most significant qualities of his past works are their profound concepts, which can be understood through multiple layers, and the richness of their content, which evokes a range of associations, contemplations, and emotional responses in the spectator. In addition to these attributes, his work boasts a technically and visually flawless execution, a hallmark of the Latvian design school with its deep historical roots.

Artūrs Analts was born on 2 February 1991 in Riga.

He studied sculpture at the Riga School of Design and Art, graduating in 2011, and later pursued product design at Central Saint Martins, Art and Design College in London, where he graduated in 2014. In 2013, he co-founded Variant Studio, an interdisciplinary design studio, with his colleague Rūdolfs Strēlis. The studio continues to operate in both Riga and London, conceiving and implementing a variety of projects.  

"I work on a wide variety of projects," Artūrs Analts admits, "ranging from coin design, which requires nanometre precision, to architectural objects." A witty application of precise data and the latest technologies, combined with a unique appreciation for the cool, Nordic nature of Latvia, and a concern for the future of nature and humanity in today's over-industrialised world, intertwine to create a focused, clear, and compelling message in his work, Matter to Matter. With this piece, he represented Latvia exceptionally well at the London Design Biennial, showcasing his talent alongside 40 member states from five continents in 2018.

He has participated in exhibitions and competitions since 2011. His works have been featured in several prestigious design exhibitions in Riga, London, Milan, and Tielrode (Belgium). He organized a solo exhibition titled Borders as part of the international programme celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Latvian state in London (2018).

Artūrs Analts was awarded the first place and the title of the Best New Designer at the Latvian Annual Design Award in 2011, the first place at the International Design Triennial in Milan (2012), and was nominated for the Annual Latvian Design Award (2018) and the Annual Latvian Architecture Award (2018). For the interactive installation Matter to Matter, he was awarded the Golden Medal and the main prize in the Best Design category at the London Design Biennial (2018).

His works are kept in the collection of the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design of the Latvian National Museum of Art.

The collector coin "Honey Coin" created by Artūrs Analts in 2018 was announced the world's Coin of the Year. It was not only the absolute global winner among all coins, but also took the first prize in the "Most Artistic Coin" category at the international competition Coin of the Year 2020.

Over the eight years that separate the "Honey Coin" from its successor – or, more accurately, from the five-coin set "Golden Seeds" – the artist has pursued an increasingly ambitious and uncompromising principle: to challenge. To keep the mind sharp, to embrace contrasts, and to move meaningfully between different timescales – from museum projects that take years to develop to music productions prepared over the course of several days.

This period reveals an artist moving from object design to multimedia practice, directing several large-scale projects with social and environmental messages. Innovative technologies play a significant, and at times even central, role in these works. Their presence has become one of Artūrs Analts' defining hallmarks.

"I enjoy blending different disciplines and constantly shifting perspectives. Looking at things with a naïve perspective, you can often see what professionals in a particular field overlook because it seems obvious to them. That is where I find my edge: when you collaborate with professionals in the field, new methods and ideas emerge. You transfer something from one field to another, and that knowledge becomes useful to many people. At Expo 2025 in Osaka, the central feature of the Baltic Pavilion was a green wall with a condensation effect that I had designed years earlier. This time, it was transformed into an amphitheatre-like structure that draws visitors into the subtle beauty of nature. It tells us a story – not from an emotional perspective, but from a technological one – that Latvia has glass manufacturers capable of bending and shaping glass.

Of course, whenever I set out to create something new, something that has never been done before, I encounter financial or technical obstacles. It is always easier to compromise and step back. Yet I continue to fight for my ideas and do my best to stand by them!" – Artūrs Analts.

Awards

2026 – Grand Prix, Latvian Design Award
(Chief Designer of the Baltic Pavilion at Expo 2025)

International projects

Expo 2025 in Osaka
13 April–13 October 2025 (Chief Designer of the Baltic Pavilion)

Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Basel
Latvia's entry – Tautumeitas
15 and 17 May 2025, semi-final and final (artistic concept, direction, and stage design)

Museum projects – exhibition design

Art Deco to the Present Day. Design and Craftsmanship in France
12 March–17 May 2026, Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

Italian Light. From Fattori to Morandi
5 July–30 November 2025, Latvian National Museum of Art

Binde 100–10
21 September 2024–19 January 2025, Latvian National Museum of Art

Green and Greener – an interactive exhibition for children
19 August–19 November 2023, Latvian National Museum of Art

Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich – a photography exhibition in collaboration with photographer Sandro Miller
26 August–29 October 2023, Latvian National Museum of Art

Our Values – an exhibition dedicated to the centenary of Latvijas Banka
9 October 2022– 22 January 2023, Latvian National Museum of Art

Concerts

Tautumeitas – the Dawn Concert Ritual (artistic concept and direction)
2024/2025/2026

Gamma – the annual premier contemporary music awards ceremony (stage design)
5 March 2025 and 25 February 2026

Astro'n'Out – a concert at Arena Riga (stage design)
3 November 2023

Golden Microphone 2023 – the Annual Latvian Music Recording Awards ceremony (stage design)
18.02.2023

Objects

Gamma – the annual premier contemporary music award
2025/2026

Three Stars Award – the most prestigious annual sports event organised by the Latvian Olympic Committee
2020/2021/2022/2023/2024/2025

Riga Marathon medals
2019