Painter Elizabete Melbārzde’s joint work with Zanda in the project "Creation of the World"

CREATION OF THE WORLD is an art project that unites 12 well-known Latvian artists - painters in synergy with the young people of the association, creating the world on canvas together.

The purpose of the project is to collect donations for the creation of a group home, as well as to emphasize that people with severe developmental disabilities are able to contribute to society and are a part of it.

All donations received are 100% donated to the association "Latvijas Kustība par neatkarīgu dzīvi" (Latvian Movement for Independent Life) for the dream of a group home.

Zanda is 40 years old. Zanda is the most diligent assistant in the candle workshop, despite being in a wheelchair every day. Zanda has complex developmental disabilities. Zanda is unable to move without assistance due to the disorder. Zanda needs shelter.

“I have so much in mind what Zanda said - that there are not many people who would really stand up for her in this life. I advocated for Zanda in this project and we both painted together with bright thoughts of her future home that would one day be built and be a haven not only for Zanda. We got excited with the brush strokes and Zanda was very good at it, it's just that we both knew the purpose of what we were doing down to the smallest part of our bodies. We will build this home!” says the painter.

Together, Zanda and Elizabete created the work "Being in nature", 2021, 70x80 cm, oil on canvas.

Read more about this joint work here