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 presents a vivid and somewhat mystic composition. It features a central female figure with an expressive, serene visage, adorned with a blue patterned mask that covers her mouth and nose, echoing hints of a modern protective mask. Her eyes gaze directly at the viewer, conveying an intense and contemplative emotion. Her hair is crowned with a colorful and ornate headband with motifs that suggest a kind of folk or mythical symbolism. Surrounding the woman are various elements that blend nature with a touch of the surreal. Her torso is partially merged or is in close contact with a wolf, whose heart is exposed and seems to be cradled by the woman’s left hand, suggesting a deep connection or unity with the wild creature. The background blooms with lush, colorful foliage and flowers, interspersed with imaginative blue doves flying amidst the greenery, adding a peaceful yet vibrant aura to the scene. Delicate, whimsical lines, similar to tendrils or vines, emerge from around the woman, and her other hand gestures openly, with her fingers splayed in a motion that feels both inviting and expressive of the flow of energy or spirit seen throughout the artwork. The interaction of human, animal, and floral elements alongside the mystical symbols offers a narrative that might speak to themes of nature, spirituality, and human empathy or intertwining with the wild and the mythical.
