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One of Latvia’s most renowned street artists, KIWIE, as usual without prior publicity and attention, created his latest artwork on Dambja Street in Jelgava during the City Festival, on June 1st. “Everything happens for a reason! KIWIE is getting ready to celebrate his 20th anniversary, and Jelgava is celebrating its 760th! It all came together perfectly — the first stop of the KIWIE Latvia Tour is right here in Jelgava,” says KIWIE. He describes the new piece as a form of visual meditation — each viewer discovers their own meaning in it: as a reflection, a feeling, or a flowing story.

“Jelgava is a city on water. The Lielupe River doesn’t divide it — it connects it. It’s the main artery that holds it all together. Water is always here. It’s not just part of the landscape — it’s part of how the city lives and breathes. Ice sculptures? They also come from this same element — a quiet but steady motif that keeps returning. And the palace, resting between branches of the river, isn’t there by chance — it reinforces this idea: water isn’t outside of the city, it’s woven into its very essence,” explains KIWIE, revealing the inspiration behind his work.

The new mural becomes another way to retell Jelgava’s water story, this time through the language of street art.

The “KIWIE Latvia Tour 2025” is an artistic expedition through cities across Latvia. In each location, KIWIE creates a site-specific piece that reflects the identity, mood, and visual character of the place. As the artist emphasizes, “This is not an exhibition — it’s an intervention. “KIWIE does what he wants — placing his mark wherever the urban landscape has remained silent for too long.” In Jelgava, he chose the wall at Dambja Street 2c for his latest creation.

KIWIE is one of Latvia’s most recognizable street artists, known for his distinctive visual style and the iconic KIWIE Monster character. For 20 years, KIWIE has been actively creating works in the urban environment, combining graffiti, design and conceptual storytelling that challenge the viewer’s perception and make cities speak visually. His works can be found on building walls and in galleries, consistently sparking questions about identity, memory, and the boundaries of contemporary art.