Vytautas Žirgulis was born in Kaunas, Lithuania, on November 4, 1962. His education is remarkably varied: he began by specializing in music at J. Naujalis Art School in 1980, then studied event directing at Klaipėda Conservatory, where he graduated in 1984. In 1992, he earned his degree from Vilnius Academy of Arts, specializing in painting, which firmly established his presence in the Lithuanian art world. Since 1995, he has been a member of the Lithuanian Artists' Association.
Žirgulis has maintained an active career, participating in numerous group exhibitions and plein air events both within Lithuania and internationally. He has staged 18 solo exhibitions to date, each reflecting the breadth and progression of his artistry. Based in Vilnius, he not only creates but also teaches drawing, painting, and composition at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art. His artistic work spans both easel and wall painting.
Žirgulis characterizes his painting style as magical realism, drawing upon themes from daily life and infusing common subjects with significant depth. He places particular value on authenticity, people, and real events in his creative process, explaining that narrative and the ideas beneath it are central to his practice. The artist favors oil paints for their depth and for allowing detailed work with nuances, soft edges, and layers made possible by their slow drying. His pieces often feature literary references, which are apparent not only in the subject matter but also inform his selection of color, use of light, and arrangement of each composition.
Art critic Ignas Kazakevičius observes that Žirgulis’s symbolism is primarily anthropomorphic, conveying emotions and psychological states through subtly rendered, mysterious faces. Kazakevičius points out the dreamlike nature of Žirgulis’s motifs, describing the way his intimate figures shift into fantastical chimaeras set within vibrant blue spaces. In the critic’s view, Žirgulis’s painting technique is just as crucial as his literary themes and symbols, as it invites viewers into enduring and resonant encounters with his forms.
About this artwork+
This painting depicts a scene with a playful twist. We see a small figure sitting in a large, greenish sink. The figure appears to be a young woman or a mermaid, given her relaxed, casual pose and a mischievous smile. Her legs dangle into the sink where water flows from a tap. The background is simple, showcasing pale blue tiles that reflect a calming, somewhat mundane environment. This contrasts sharply with the mythical subject. Vytautas Žirgulis, the artist, uses a soft, muted palette that gives the painting a dreamy, somewhat surreal feel. His style here blends elements of realism with a hint of fantasy, capturing everyday objects in a new light. Overall, the artwork invites viewers to rethink the ordinary, suggesting magic can be found in the most common places.
