Patterns of Identity, a new body of work by A-M Petersons, embraces geometric shapes and vibrant color palettes in a bold, new approach for the artist. Incorporating watercolor techniques on larger canvases, the series represents an evolution in both form and concept.

Rooted in personal history, Patterns of Identity delves into the lifelong process of self-discovery. Raised in Toronto, Canada, Petersons grew up immersed in stories of her family’s past in Latvia. An active participant in North American Latvian cultural events, the artist recalls wearing a traditional folk costume-an experience imbued with both “pride and heaviness”.

The exhibition is inspired by Petersons’ recent research, uncovering narratives that both align with and challenge the stories of her upbringing, and the study of traditional Latvian folk costumes, historically worn during festivals and significant events. Each region of Latvia boasts its own unique designs, reconstructed today using ethnographic research. The varying degrees of historical accuracy in these reconstructions mirror the evolving truths within family histories.

Through a dynamic interplay of color, form, and cultural symbolism, this series reflects the artist’s ongoing journey of reading, processing, and understanding her ancestry. The works serve as a visual dialogue between past and present, tradition and reinterpretation, truth and memory.