Group exhibition “4 axes” at the KCCC

A group exhibition dedicated to the sculptural object—one of the most significant forms of contemporary art—features renowned Lithuanian sculptors from various generations, including Rimantas Milkintas, Rafal Piesliak, Dainius Trumpis, and Vladas Urbanavičius. The exhibition showcases their exploration of diverse techniques, innovative expressions, and new possibilities for display, reflecting the wide-ranging potential of contemporary sculpture.

The artists’ works address a broad spectrum of themes, ranging from the socio-cultural and political context of our time to universal existential questions, as well as formal concerns like the construction of form and volume.

Rimantas Milkintas’ conceptual sculptures reflect the issues of our society, its constant change, tension, anxiety and other emotions. By deforming seemingly stable materials to create new structures of meaning, the artist explores both technological possibilities and universal societal problems.

Rafal Piesliak combines various found objects, altering their functions and infusing them with new meaning. The resulting forms offer a reimagined experience of objects from the past and the collective memory they evoke. Through experimentation, the artist integrates light sources with different sculptural materials and forms, highlighting their materiality and transforming the atmosphere of the space.

Dainius Trumpis’ work is inspired by personal experience and reflections on cultural memory. The artist is interested in both physical and psychological reactions to form and material. By combining ready-made and industrial materials, shiny zinc-coated metal, the artist extracts new metaphysical values. Sculptures, haut-reliefs, and installations, due to their unexpected and highly aesthetic solutions, enchant and draw the viewer into the world he creates.

Vladas Urbanavičius presents abstract sculptures, (re)testing the limits of the possibilities of size and construction. The use of timeworn, old industrial steel gives the works a distinctive character, often inspiring non-technical, conceptual structures. They reveal the sculptor’s sensitivity to the materials he uses, as well as his subtle sense of form and keen artistic intuition.

Rimantas Milkintas (b. 1977) – 1995-1999 – studied at the Telšiai Higher School of Applied Arts, 1999-2005 – completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s studies at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. The author has held more than fifty exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad. In 2005 he was awarded the NORD/LB Prize for his installation “Stable and Flexible”, in 2006 he was awarded the III Prize of the Arnaldo Pomodoro Foundation, in 2011 he was awarded the Best Sculpture/Installation Award at ArtVilnius’11, in 2020 he was awarded the Golden Badge of the Lithuanian Artists’ Union for his active creation of sculptures and installations for public spaces.

Rafal Piesliak (b. 1983) – graduated from the Vilnius Academy of Arts in 2008. The artist actively participates in exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad, and presents his work in public spaces. In 2010 he received the Polish State Award for Cultural Merit, and in 2020 he was awarded the Best Sculpture/Installation of ArtVilnius’20 award for his installation Garden.

Dainius Trumpis (b. 1971) – graduated in painting from Šiauliai University, Faculty of Arts, interned at TAIK University, Finland. Since 2009 member of the Lithuanian Artists’ Union. Dainius Trumpis actively participates in solo and group exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad. The artist has been awarded several culture and art prizes in Lithuania and abroad.

Vladas Urbanavičius (b. 1951) – sculptor, graduated in sculpture from the Art Institute (now Vilnius Academy of Arts) in 1977. Since 1978 he has been participating in exhibitions and sculpture plein-air workshops in Lithuania and abroad. Sculptor has received awards and prizes: the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Art (2015), the Third Prize of the Vilnius Telecentre Defenders Monument Competition (1991), the First Prize of the Lithuanian Quadrennial of Contemporary Art (2005), and the Lithuanian Artists’ Union’s Golden Badge (2006).