Artist’s first Philadelphia solo show examines water’s power to both attract and push away.

On October 5th, Latvian artist Elina Ruka’s solo show “Immersion” opens at Philadelphia’s Gravy Studio and Gallery, marking her first solo show in the city. The recipient of an MFA in Photography from Columbia College Chicago, Ruka uses numerous media, including photography, installation, video, and sound, to create tranquil and curious works of art. Addressing themes ranging from her impressions of the United States, her memories of Latvian life, and the never-ending mystery and mutability of water, Ruka’s art is both highly emotive beneath the smooth surface, creating an irresistible tension between what we show off and what we choose to keep hidden. Deborah Krieger speaks with the artist in advance of her opening.

Deborah Krieger in conversation with Elina Ruka