VILMANTAS MARCINKEVIČIUS

Vilmantas Marcinkevičius (born in 1969, Kaunas) is a neo-expressionist painter, distinguished by an unusual color for the Lithuanian school of painting. In 1985–1989, he studied at the Stepos Žukas Technical School of Applied Arts and in 1995 he graduated from the Vilnius Academy of Arts. Vilmantas cooperates with artists in the preparation of art projects in Lithuania and abroad, from 1995 to 2005 he worked at the Vartai gallery in Vilnius, and was the chairman of the Painters’ Section of the Lithuanian Artists’ Union. Since 1993, he has been participating in exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad. He has organized more than thirty personal exhibitions in Lithuania, USA, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden. In 2009, he became the winner of the global Showdown competition, which took place at the Saatchi Gallery in London. V. Marcinkevičius is the initiator of the successful “Young Painter’s Prize” project aimed at encouraging young creators.

When reviewing the artist’s work, it is important to mention the abstract and expressive plastic language, which is the basis of his artistic pursuits. Standardized, metaphorical depiction without excessive attention to anatomy is an essential feature of Vilmantas Marcinkevičius’s work. The artist creates figurative compositions, which mainly depict unique mystified, eroticized creatures. Eroticism is one of the most relevant topics in Vilmantas’s works. Depicting naked bodies, embracing homosexual and heterosexual couples, the painter seems to talk about the ephemerality of the moment of pleasure/life. Marcinkevičius’ painting style is expressive, characterized by bright, sharp colors and their contrasting combinations. Indeed, it is the color that is the primary nuance that distinguishes this artist from other Lithuanian painters. The joy of life, sexuality, betrayal, and social themes explored in his works do not leave anyone indifferent – his paintings are emotional and impactful. Thanks to his mastery, the painter creates an emotionally strong aura – he talks about loneliness, love, attachment, friendship, joy, betrayal, pain, the search for a social self.