Rytas Jurgelis, a prominent Lithuanian artist, has been a member of the Union of Lithuanian Artists since 1995. Over the course of his career, he has held almost thirty solo exhibitions, presenting his work throughout Lithuania and abroad. His ongoing engagement with the arts scene underscores both his substantial contribution and the recognition he has earned within the artistic community.
Jurgelis’s paintings stand out for their distinct treatment of color and texture and for his steadfast admiration of geometric shapes, particularly the square. This combination produces an impressive range of artwork, yet there remains a gentle lyricism unmistakable in his style. By repeatedly incorporating squares, he brings both structure and formal clarity to his compositions.
Instead of emphasizing color contrasts, Jurgelis seeks harmony and the combined effect of hues. In his art, color becomes a vehicle for conveying emotional states, enriched by the tangible specifics of oil paint. He highlights the material nature of his medium through various finishes—matte or glossy—as well as through texture, sgraffito, and pronounced relief. Through a careful process of adding layer upon layer, he achieves surfaces that distinctly display their method of creation, appealing to both the eye and the touch.
These densely layered, textured surfaces do more than create unique visual and emotional environments—they also suggest connections to other senses, like taste or scent. Each square field in his paintings serves as a platform for emotional interplay or unspoken stories, encouraging viewers to interpret them through the lens of their own experience. Jurgelis subtly directs the viewer’s response with gentle hints, while deliberately maintaining ample room for personal interpretation and emotional engagement.
About this artwork+
The painting presents a richly textured abstract landscape, characterized by heavy, impasto applications of paint. The top section of the canvas is dominated by dark blues and blacks, interspersed with whites and lighter blues, suggesting a turbulent sky. This upper area is dynamic, with the thick strokes creating a sense of movement, as if reflecting the chaotic energy of a stormy night. Transitioning downward, the piece becomes earthier in palette with broad swatches of beige, brown, and muted orange, possibly depicting the rugged terrain. This section uses a mix of smoother and more textured applications, providing a contrast to the tumultuous 'sky' above. Right at the bottom, there are darker browns and greys, possibly indicating the shadowed ground or a foreboding depth that anchors the composition. Each layer of paint is palpable, adding physical depth to the visual narrative, making the scene feel alive and continuously shifting, despite its stillness. The colors are juxtaposed in patches, and the sculptural quality of the paint adds a tactile element that invites the viewer to experience the landscape as a sensory multitude rather than a mere visual encounter.
