Artwork in the room
Kristina Karnilavičiūtė, a contemporary artist, is widely recognized for her expressive work in etching. She characterizes her creative approach as entering a mirrored realm, where every line and shade confronts its counterpart. This interaction reflects both the intricacies and unpredictability inherent in the chemical process of etching, revealing unexpected results. The combination of risk and enchantment intrinsic to metal plate printmaking enables her to reshape reality, infuse fairy tale elements, and unravel stories that unfold beyond her own "magic mirror."
Working with metal as her chosen medium grants Kristina the opportunity to manipulate reality, drawing aspects of wonder, patience, and serendipity into her artistic expression. She maintains that, regardless of how meticulously one may plan or attempt to assert control, unpredictability always remains—a space where true creativity emerges. For Kristina, art serves not just as a form of escape, but also as a means to gain insight, find sanctuary, and recover. She often remarks that creativity instructs her in the art of living, and each undertaking becomes both a transformative lesson and a moment of discovery.
Kristina’s official introduction to the arts took place at the National M.K. Čiurlionis School of Arts, where she studied graphics as her area of specialization. She continued her academic path with a Bachelor of Arts in illustration from the University of Edinburgh, subsequently expanding her perspective through an exchange program in Switzerland. Representing a younger generation of artists, Kristina draws continually from her diverse educational background, which is evident in her detailed and lyrical creations.
Throughout Kristina Karnilavičiūtė’s body of work, a recurrent and vital motif is the interaction between nature and humanity. Her art frequently portrays nature as both a sheltering and intimidating presence, with humans integrated as essential elements of this vast environment. By means of her reflective, poetic prints, Kristina investigates profound emotional states, establishing a conversation between the human condition and the commanding forces of nature. Her prints have found audiences across the globe, having been exhibited in Europe, America, and Asia.
About this artwork+
The painting depicts an abstract and surreal scene featuring three humanoid figures interacting with a pair of dramatically intersecting train tracks that defy traditional perspectives. The figure on the left is seated on a chair positioned perilously at the edge where the tracks begin to diverge upward, seemingly in preparation to ascend. This figure, with a hood or box over its head, appears focused on climbing the tracks that stretch vertically almost off the canvas. To the right, another figure with a similar hood is captured mid-jump between the diverging tracks, one leg extended towards a track that loops in a physically impossible way, defying gravity. Below this figure, a small cluster of smoke or vapor emanates from the track, suggestive of motion or other unseen activity. A third figure, on the far left track, is subtly balanced in an agile manner, contributing to the overall sense of movement and imbalance that characterizes the painting. The monochrome palette enhances the dream-like, enigmatic quality of the scene.
