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+
The painting titled "UFO Over Fields" by Vytautas Žirgulis is visually engaging and mysterious. In the artwork, the dominant feature is an expansive dark, warm-hued sky that stretches across the canvas. It sets a dramatic mood and nearly engulfs the horizon which is faintly delineated. Below the dense, ominous sky is a landscape composed of seemingly shimmering fields, indicative of either wetlands or fields segmented by water or irrigated furrows. These fields display a multitude of colors, suggesting different types of vegetation or changes in light reflections. The richly pigmented patches range from muted purples and blues to vibrant oranges and reds, perhaps affected by the time of day—it could be either sunrise or sunset. One small, dense stand of trees anchors the composition on the left side, adding a touch of depth and contrast to the otherwise fluid and vast landscape. Above the horizon, centrally located in the sky, is a bright, oval object emitting white and yellow light, presumably the UFO mentioned in the title. Its presence introduces a surreal and otherworldly element to the scene. The UFO appears to be moving fast, conveyed by a slight blur effect around it, which adds a dynamic quality. Overall, the painting blends elements of realism with speculative fiction, prompting the viewer to contemplate a serene yet mysterious scenario where the natural and the supernatural coexist.
