Robertas Strazdas is an up-and-coming artist who is currently enrolled in the Master’s program at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. His formal education serves as a solid base for his artistic development, enabling him to continually sharpen his skills and explore new creative directions.
Strazdas draws inspiration for his paintings from his immediate environment. Attentively observing the world around him, he “borrows” select details that intrigue him. These elements, which often hold an ambiguous personal meaning, gradually reveal their relevance as his work progresses. The figures in his paintings are usually shown experiencing moments of everyday melancholy, absorbed in quiet contemplation without any rush or haste.
Open to exploration, Strazdas does not restrict himself to a particular technique or set of materials. His natural inclination toward experimentation drives him to discover a variety of ways to express himself artistically. His works frequently combine oil, acrylic, spray paint, and markers, giving each piece a distinct visual character. Sometimes, these media are blended within a single painting, producing a fusion of traditional easel techniques and the dynamic qualities of street art.
Bold figurative compositions define most of Strazdas’s art, often featuring wide fields of unbroken color. Marked contour lines and a vibrant palette with strong contrasts set his paintings apart. By uniting these elements, Strazdas crafts energetic visual stories that fuse varied artistic influences and invite the viewer into a space of reflection.
About this artwork+
This painting shows a tall, slender bird, likely a magpie given the title, standing next to a traffic light. The bird seems almost human-like, holding onto the pole with one of its wings. Its eyes and long beak add a whimsical look. The background is plain, focusing all attention on the bird and the light. The traffic light has the words "Red", "Yellow", and "Green" next to the corresponding lights, but they're noted in a language that could be Lithuanian ("Raudona", "Geltona", "Žalia"). Robertas Strazdas uses a simple, monochromatic palette which adds to the minimalist style of the artwork. His strokes are loose and expressive, creating a sense of ease and fluidity. The text in the artwork, likely a comment or a thought from the bird, adds a narrative element, engaging the viewer in pondering what "impractical wishes" might be referred to. The style is playful yet contemplative, typical of Strazdas’s approach to blending humor with deeper musings.
