2021 06 08–29
For the first time in the history of Molėtai Art Gallery:
Vilnius Academy of Arts MA degree in painting – defence and exhibition
Defence will take place on June 21st
MenoCurator of the MA Art Project – rector of Vilnius Academy of Arts, painter, lecturer Ieva Skauronė, Research consultant – painter, Dr. Deima Katinaitė, consultant – sculpture artist, lecturer Algimantas Kensminas
Excursion with an author on June 25th, 15:00
Born and raised in Molėtai Jolanta Žalalienė has always been a part of the artistic and educational community – woven sashes and Lithuanian national costumes are what she is known for. It all began during her childhood – she said she will never forget her grandmother, who told her all about weaving, knitting, and all other traditional crafts. Later came sewing lessons. After the National Revival ideas about the national costume came to life and a new chapter of J. Žalalienės‘ creative career began as she started sewing traditional waistcoats, embroider aprons and weave sashes. At the same time, a desire to draw ant paint was strong, too. J. Žalalienė attended drawing lessons given by an art teacher D. Ivanauskas in Molėtai and later perfected her skills with the help of drawing artist A. Jonikas and Vilnius Academy of Arts professor Ž. Jasutytė.
„When you start training, you realize that curiosity and self discovery are the things helping you move on and try even more“, says J. Žalalienė. The artist noticed that studies at the academy fulfilled the desire to test certain personal experiences. Childhood memories and old fabrics became the essence of the project. „It‘s all full of longing and nostalgia, because you can‘t go back in time“.