Exhibition date: September 3–28
Venue: Vilnius Town Hall
Opening of the exhibition – September 3, 6 pm
The painting workshop on Raugyklos Street is a space I enter only after the day’s work, in the afternoon or the evening, and I end my regular working day with a painting session. I have been here for a few years now and I have noticed a change in the way I paint. I purposely try to finish all the works in one session. The light streaming in through the windows onto the rooftops of the old town is amazing, so I rush to finish before sunset. These sessions happen almost every day, and I share them on social media with the hashtag #dienotepis, which alludes to a painting diary. I do keep pictorial diaries, but I have turned them into books and sometimes exhibitions. This time, however, there are no such books in the exhibition; I am exhibiting easel paintings – alla prima flashes from Raugyklos Street.
Flashes, because I am painting fast, hurrying while it is still light.
Flashes, because there is still time today, even if only a flash.
Flashes, because the scenes fade in and out at the end of the brush, like flashes of thought in consciousness.
Flashes, because alla prima does not postpone until tomorrow.
Flashes, because alla prima does everything possible today.
Flashes, because in the face of eternity, my painting sessions are only flashes.
Flashes, because today I still believe that I will paint a better picture than I did yesterday.
Flashes, because that long-awaited flash can only be today.
Flashes, because today I am painting and tomorrow I have not yet painted.
ABOUT GUSTAS JAGMINAS
Gustas Jagminas (b. 1979) graduated from the Vilnius Academy of Arts with a Master’s degree in painting. He is a member of the Lithuanian Artists’ Association and teaches at the Alytus School of Art. His paintings have already been successfully presented at international art fairs by the gallery Meno Nisa, which represents him, and he has participated in over 30 group exhibitions.
The artist studied painting with A. Šaltenis, H. Čerapas, R. Nemeikšis, and his emotional and sincere paintings evoke associations with the landscapes of R. P. Vaitiekūnas, while the formats and colors are similar to the works of Ina Budrytė. Gustas does not hide his admiration for Lithuanian painters, he actively participates in contemporary art processes and exhibitions, and he writes. Art critic Viktoras Liutkus describes this as the artist’s dialogue with the viewer, art criticism, and his colleagues. Jagminas’ work is dominated by abstraction, drawing on nature, experience, and observation. He does not look for a cheap commercial result, he knows how to analyze nature, deconstruct, and construct it.
Main photo: Gustas Jagminas. 2021. View through the workshop window (Raugyklos str.). Oil on canvas. 40 cm x 50 cm