Graphic artist Elvyra Kairiūkštytė (1950–2006) was a creator of a special and difficult fate. An orphan raised in Soviet children’s homes, first in Vilnius, later in Kuršėnai. Her talent for drawing manifested while studying at Kuršėnai secondary school. After graduating, Elvyra enrolled in the then S. Žukas Applied Arts Technical School (now Kaunas College J. Vienožinskis Faculty of Arts), but studied there for a short time. In 1971, she enrolled in the Vilnius Academy of Arts (formerly Vilnius Art Institute), where she graduated in graphic arts in 1977.
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Around 1988, the artist actively and consciously experienced the political changes in the country. At that time, being an adult, she became a hermit. Elvyra created in solitude, closed off, showing her work to no one, allowing almost no one into the studio where she also lived.
During more than a decade of reclusive life (1988–2006), she created an impressive collection of 11,000 drawings. Among them are the “large drawings” – complex compositions about one meter by three meters wide, showing a clear connection with ancient civilizations, biblical, and modern art traditions.
Works by E. Kairiūkštytė have been acquired by the Lithuanian National Museum of Art, the Lithuanian National Museum, the M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum, the MO Museum, and private collectors.
Kairiūkštytė is the only Lithuanian artist whose works have entered the collections of the National Institute of Graphics in Rome (Instituto Nazionale per la Grafica). Her works are also in the collection of the Pompidou Art Center in Paris.
The exhibition will be open from August 5 to September 15.
Gallery address: Kęstučio a. 8-8, Ukmergė. Opening hours: Tue-Fri from 12 to 16. At other times: +370 656 66924
The exhibition is organized by VšĮ “OirA Artless”. Partially funded by Ukmergė district municipality
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