Gundega Muzikante

Gundega Muzikante (1964) is a Latvian much-loved book illustrator, she has also worked for the children’s periodicals, created the design of textbooks, and made a successful debut in animation. She stands out in the family of Latvian illustrators with her particular matted, fluffy looking colouring, windy motion and fantastic machines with a vintage touch. Diversity of intensions and expressive styles are characteristic of Muzikante’s imagination. She feels a text as personality, and her mission and task is understanding it, to delve deep into each of them, to make friends with each with them – and then carefully dress into the kind of clothes that will fit this “being” best. The illustrator of more than 40 children’s books has participated in many international exhibitions: Biennial of Illustration Bratislava, Golden Pen of Belgrade, Biennial of European Illustration in Japan etc.

2019, Nominee for Astrid Lindgren memorial Award 

2018, Nominee for Hans Christian Andersen Award 

2016, IBBY Honour List for Grāmata Gundegai [A book for Gundega], 2015, by Pēters Brūveris

2014, The International Jānis Baltvilks Prize in Children’s Literature and Book Art for Pūķa ceļojums [The dragon’s journey], 2013, by Inese Zandere, Kad kaķēnu sauc par pelīti? [When is a kitten called mousy?], 2014, by Ieva Samauska and Mājiņa [The little house], 2013, by Aivars Neibarts

2011, Pastariņš Prize for Matīss iepazīst teātri [Matīss gets to know the theatre], 2010, by Lolita Grāvīte, Matīss meklē Latviju [Matīss is looking for Latvia], 2010, by Valdis Klišāns and Pilsēta no A līdz Z [The city from A to Z], 2009, by Ieva Samauska

2002, Illustrator of the Year

2000, Book Design Competition “The Most Beautiful Book” prize for Kaziņa par līgavu [A she-goat for a bride], Latvian folk tale

1998, Book Design Competition “The Most Beautiful Book” prize for Lieldienas, Mārtiņi [Easter, Martinmas], Latvian folk songs, beliefs, games, riddles, recipes, masks and more

1997 Book Design Competition “The Most Beautiful Book” prize for Eža kažociņš [Hedgehog’s coat], Latvian folk tale

1995, Book Design Competition “The Most Beautiful Book” prize for Kā Ruksītis ciemos gāja [How Piggy went visiting], by Dzidra Rinkule-Zemzare

1992, Indriķis Zeberiņš Award for Strupastīša talcinieki [Scut-tail’s helpers], 1990, by Rūta Skujiņa