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+
This painting titled "Meeting 1" by Rytas Jurgelis features two distinct figures that appear to be engaged in conversation. The painting is abstract, with the figures composed of patchwork-like textures and bold, dripped paint lines that add a dynamic quality. The background is a soft, muted tone that helps the figures, marked with vibrant reds and subtle blues, stand out. Rytas Jurgelis often uses a style that combines elements of relief with thickly applied paint, providing a tactile and visually striking effect. His approach in this work seems to reflect themes of communication and perhaps the complexity or fragmentation of human interaction. The use of textured, grid-like patterns on the figures adds an interesting layer, suggesting perhaps a complexity or structured aspect to human relationships.
