Artwork in the room
Aurelija Kairytė Smolianskienė is a painter whose artwork has been featured in numerous local exhibitions throughout Lithuania. She adeptly merges watercolour and oil on canvas, delving into the dynamic relationship between these two mediums to craft vibrant and harmonious compositions. By making deliberate choices in materials, she is able to experiment with both translucency and texture, producing paintings that capture delicate nuances of colour and form.
Residing on an animal farm nestled within the Lithuanian countryside, Aurelija is constantly surrounded by unspoiled forests and tranquil velvet lakes that inspire her artistic vision each day. The magical landscape and its wealth of natural beauty frequently appear as repeating motifs in her paintings. Moreover, local folk legends and the fantasies sparked by them nurture her imagination, playing a significant role in shaping her visual narratives.
Drawing extensively on her own experiences and emotions, Aurelija’s work remains deeply personal while also resonating with a wider audience. As an artist whose roots are grounded in rural Lithuania, she recognizes that her imagery defies straightforward interpretation, weaving together passing recollections, regional myths, and silent dreams. This sense of mystery encourages viewers to engage with her art through their own individual perspectives.
Academically trained in the arts, she completed her studies at the National School of Art. In 2008, Aurelija earned a Master of Arts degree from the Vilnius Academy of Arts in Lithuania, a significant achievement that has further fostered her development as an artist.
About this artwork+
The painting is vibrant with swirling colors and patterns that flood the entire canvas. At the center, three figures—an adult and two children—are depicted against a wildly expressive background of reds, blues, and greens. The adult, perhaps a mother, is wrapped partially in what looks like a floral blanket, holding close a child who stares directly at the viewer, their face framed by the bright textile. Another child, wearing a red dress, sits separately to the left, gazing outward with a solemn expression. Their surroundings are a chaotic mix of floral and abstract designs, hinting at a natural setting that is almost dreamlike in its execution. Adding to the scene’s surreal quality is a steamboat painted in muted colors floating atop the blue patches that might suggest water. A red, segmented object that resembles a caterpillar is also present in the lower left corner, adding another layer of fantastical imagery to the scene. The overall atmosphere is one of emotional depth, highlighted by the intense gazes and the enveloping, almost protective flurry of colors and shapes around the figures.
