Verdenė Monika Valkiūnaitė is a Lithuanian artist whose practice encompasses scenography, drawing, and painting. She received her bachelor’s degree in scenography from the Vilnius Academy of Arts in 2018, later earning her master’s from the same institution in 2021. Since completing her studies, she has continually produced new works and participated in exhibitions, both at home in Lithuania and abroad.
When painting, Valkiūnaitė aims to cultivate a distinctive style and expressive approach, often drawing inspiration from her early life. Her method includes assembling scenographic components on flat surfaces and reinterpreting the responsibilities of the scenographer by placing emphasis on crafting a sensual atmosphere throughout the canvas. She adopts a spontaneous and intuitive process, frequently forgoing preliminary sketches in favor of allowing her compositions to emerge organically.
A prominent feature of her art is the use of multiple layers, which give her canvases both depth and spatial complexity. She favors vivid, luminous colors, engaging with their contrasts and relationships to infuse her paintings with energy and playfulness. In organizing her exhibitions, Valkiūnaitė invites viewers to navigate the space, encounter unexpected barriers, and immerse themselves in environments that are simultaneously novel and intimate, often populated by captivating characters.
For Valkiūnaitė, perseverance and continuous exploration are more valuable than brief moments of inspiration. Her creative process involves gathering her experiences, reevaluating them, and subsequently interpreting them through her artwork. Among her significant solo exhibitions are “Savannid” at Jakobi galerii in Tartu, Estonia (2023), “Savanna and Other Spells” at Baltasis koridorius in Vilnius, Lithuania (2023), and “Planes (after the exit of the gorillas)” exhibited at both the VAA Library and gallery AKADEMIJA in Vilnius, Lithuania (2020).
About this artwork+
In this vivid and textured painting, three elephants are portrayed amidst a vibrant and abstract landscape. The background is a rich tapestry of pink and purple hues, streaked with what appears to be rain-like vertical brush strokes in varied shades of blue, creating a dynamic and fluid atmosphere. Each elephant, distinctly characterized by its stance and direction, adds to the narrative of the composition. The elephant on the left is depicted in a lighter tone, almost white, with its trunk gracefully curving upwards. Its large ears spread out, suggesting movement or interaction. To the right, another elephant, also in a lighter shade, mirrors the first in its stance but faces the opposite direction, giving a sense of dialogue or interaction between them. The third elephant, positioned in the foreground and painted in golden-yellow hues, stands out due to its vibrant color and the accentuated twist of its trunk and body. This elephant appears to be in motion, possibly trumpeting or engaging with its environment, which adds a dynamic element to the scene. Overhead, an abstract form resembling a celestial body casts an ethereal glow, contributing to the mystical and surreal quality of the painting. This element overlays the texture-heavy sky, which complements the mystical theme running throughout the depiction. The entire scene is set in a somewhat mystical realm, suggested not only by the surreal colors and forms but also by the energetic and emotional brushwork, creating a space that feels almost otherworldly. This painting captures a moment of ethereal beauty and dynamic interaction among the creatures, wrapped in a dream-like environment.
