Artwork in the room
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 by Rytas Jurgelis, titled "With a White Flower," showcases a striking composition with dominant earthy tones, primarily rich browns and oranges. It features an abstract design, where forms and shapes intermingle, evoking a somewhat industrial yet somewhat organic feel. The texture is heavily pronounced, with thick paint that adds depth and variety to the surface. At the center, there's a prominent white shape that stands out against the darker background. This could be the "white flower" the title refers to. Each element within the artwork seems carefully layered, giving the impression of objects beneath the surface, like hidden layers waiting to be explored. Jurgelis's style in this work is abstract and textural. He utilizes the impasto technique, where paint is applied thickly, creating a relief-like appearance that catches both the light and the viewer's eye. His approach brings a tangible, tactile quality to the piece, inviting you to look closer and interpret the various forms and textures as you see fit.
