I was born in 1990 in Šilutė, into an artistic family – my father is a painter and ceramicist, and my mother paints folk art works featuring the Tree of Life motif. These roots shaped my love for ancient history and painting.
I graduated in Visual Arts from Klaipėda University, specializing in painting. I have participated in group exhibitions, performances, and art exchange projects both in Lithuania and abroad. After my studies, I founded the ceramic brand Monai Studio, where I created contemporary ceramics inspired by folklore and presented them at international exhibitions and art fairs.
Although I have created extensively in the field of ceramics, painting has always remained an inseparable part of my life. For the past several years, I have been working in my painting studio, where I explore philosophical concepts, experiment with techniques, and seek new forms to embody ideas. In creating abstract, meditative paintings, I search for a sense of connection with my surroundings and with others. I explore intense sensations, questioning whether they are universal and whether I can find a common ground to create a shared experience. I am drawn to phenomenology, dualism, and symbolic thinking – ways in which we shape our personal reality under the influence of both environment and the constructs of the mind. Painting, to me, is more than applying paint to a surface. It is experimentation, deep listening, observation, and wonder. The process becomes intertwined with life itself – I paint while I read, watch, converse, remember, and feel. It is a living, growing, and ever-changing act, born from thought, experience, and the desire to share what I have lived through.
I create my meditative abstract paintings by combining various techniques – pouring and splashing acrylic inks, applying thick acrylic paint with brushes, sponges, palette knives, or rollers, and engraving fine lines with a pigmented pencil. I aim for vibrancy, depth of texture, and contrast between fine details and large painted areas. I seek balance between spontaneity and controlled gestures, carefully choosing colors to express emotion. I paint slowly, in layers, allowing space to gradually deepen and take shape. I discover the rhythm and harmony of the work. I choose unprimed canvas or natural linen to enhance the texture, letting the painting breathe without covering it with a thick layer of varnish. The matte, textured surface adds a new aesthetic dimension – a sense of fullness.
About this artwork+
The painting "Above the thought" by Morta Kaniavienė is quite intriguing. It shows an abstract blend of colors and textures. The top part has layers of soft, dark grays that evoke a sense of cloudiness or a stormy sky. Below, there's a striking contrast with vibrant turquoise lines, possibly suggesting waves or a dynamic body of water. Kaniavienė uses a mix of smooth and rough textures, adding depth to the scene. The painting’s abstract style leaves a lot open to interpretation, giving a feeling of depth and emotion that seems to go beyond simple visual description. The choice of colors and the way they interact give the piece a moody yet energetic feel. Morta Kaniavienė's work often plays with the balance between tranquility and movement, and this painting is a beautiful example of her expressive approach.
