20^th Anniversary of Juškus Gallery

The opening of the first private art gallery Vilnius ir dailė (Vilnius and Fine Arts) in Vilnius downtown in October 20 years ago was met rather controversially by artists. It meant a novelty in the art life of Lithuania. Some viewed it with hope expecting its assistance in finding buyers in hard times, others considered it a rival since Lithuanian Artists' Association (LAA) also founded a gallery called Arka, which proceeded with the art sales function previously vested in the Art Fund, while the third did not understand why it was needed in the first place since the artists can sell their own art directly from their workshops with no agents mediating. Artists were used to this model in Soviet times. Their promotion in Lithuanian and abroad was conducted by the LAA back then. The Association used to organise exhibitions, buy works of art, commission them and publish a journal called Dailė (Art). Artists and exhibitions used to receive coverage in papers and magazines. However, it soon became a private entity and stopped introducing exhibitions to the public, while its selection of artists was based on anything but professional assessment criteria. Publishing of Dailė journal was discontinued. The LAA turned penniless. Previously held solid material base (Dailė plants) was privatised and lost, while, pursuant to the new legislation, the Association became a public organisation and was ousted from picturesque chamber to a desolate building of former household store where it had no opportunity to settle for a long time (10 years). The LAA was not capable of supporting artistic projects of the artists. Culture was left on its own until 1997. Fine arts world has revived a bit only on the wake of the era of state support to culture: the establishment of both Media Support Foundation in 1996, and Culture and Sports Support Foundation in 1998.

The artists gradually began perceiving the significance of galleries. Their number increased but only a few galleries joined the list of private galleries within the first decade following the Restoration of Independence. These were Namelis in Palanga (1990), Vartai, I.Mikuličiūtė‘s Art Studio and Gallery (1991) and Mažoji galerija (1996) in Vilnius, as well as Mizgiriai Amber Gallery and Museum in Nida (1994). Other galleries usually operated under the umbrella of local councils and other institutions (a variety of institutions, artist unions, paper editorial boards etc.). Worried about their survival and art market as well as encouraged by their inherent striving to support artists, the art galleries, in 1996, united into the Association of Lithuanian Art Galleries, and started their mutual cooperation and development of relations with Lithuanian and foreign artist unions.

Vilnius ir dailė gallery not only survived in this complicated environment, but also grew, strengthened and gained popularity among demanding purchasers seeking genuine art. The pursued concept of business, i.e. to promote those Lithuanian artists that may be called masters, was instrumental in this process. These are the successors of best Lithuanian fine arts traditions recognised both here and abroad. The Gallery has drawn a list of supported artists, posted their biographies in its website and published exhibition catalogues of a number of artists. In cases where the buyer has complex questions, the Gallery owner consults specialists and professors of Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts (which happens to be located in the neighbourhood). This serious approach towards its functions has been a key to the success, standing and reputation of Vilnius ir dailė gallery. After the celebration of its 15^th anniversary, it gathered bravery to assume the name of its owner Stasys Juškus. Lately, the staff of the Gallery has offered the artists to sign the agreements securing loyalty to one gallery. Unfortunately, not all our artists have understood it although such agreements have already been existing in Lithuania for a while (for example, in Maldis Gallery and elsewhere). The staff of the Gallery puts a lot of efforts to promote the artists through different means and spends a great amount of funds for this end. However, if the creator cannot make his or her mind on the gallery to cooperate with in the same city, the fruits of these efforts fall to the hands of the competitors.

Juškus Gallery has already arranged more than 150 personal and collective thematic exhibitions both in Lithuania and abroad. It held art exhibitions in the United Nations headquarters in New York (US), as well as in Finland and Poland. The Gallery arranges exhibitions not only in its premises, but, upon demand, also in more spacious venues such as Vilnius Congress Chamber, National Opera and Ballet Theatre, SEB Bank Vilnius Branch or the Church of St Catherine. Christmas and Easter painting exhibitions have already become a tradition, while the exhibition of the Last Painting of the Millennium and unexpected collective expositions of Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts have been well received by the public.

To celebrate the anniversary, Juškus Gallery offers an exhibition of acquired works of art that provides a splendid opportunity to meet both contemporary and deceased masters: the art works of A.Galdikas, A.Gudaitis, V.Kasiulis, L. Katinas, V.Kisarauskas, A.Petrulis, I.Piekuras, V.Šerys, J.Švažas, S.Ušinskas, J.Vaitys, A.Valiaška and V.Vizgirda make up about one half of the exposition. Their oeuvre constitutes an introduction to the understanding of our traditions and their following in the second half of the 20^th century. Their works are complemented by those of professors A.Savickas, V.Karatajus and V.Gečas (who taught quite a number of artist generations) demonstrating their unfading creative potency and love to tradition, just like the landscapes of S.Jusionis.  S.Džiaukštas‘ Women is an impressive, interesting picture that was too bold for those times. Plastics based on deformation and a bright red spot would have shocked the audience of the exhibition back then. The picture demonstrates the transformation of culture of our plastic perception. The painting of L.Gutauskas is presented through the picture filled with phantasy of his early period inspired by Lithuanian folk art and folklore. R.Vaitekūnas’ The Tree reminds of the wake of this artist’s recognition – the quest for a poetic image, later abandoned. The unexpected and romantic V.Antanavičius’ painting Evening in Beržoras has been painted in the light of the setting sun, and although one can glimpse the expression of composition, shape and colour, it yet lacks the preferred deformation and ironic view so characteristic of this painter.

The tight space of the exposition hall did not allow the display of paintings of all artists supported by Juškus Gallery, however, they deserve mentioning on the anniversary: first of all, these are A.Skačkausks and R. Sližys, who have recently left us, and the contemporary artists who have all together made a great contribution to the building of the Gallery image: G.Kazimierėnas, J.Čeponis, A.Stasiulevičius, M.Skudutis, L.Tuleikis, R.Bičiūnas, Linas Katinas etc.

We do expect the well-targeted activities of the Gallery to be the key to its success in future as well as instrumental in the implementation of its cherished mission.

Nijolė Tumėnienė