Friends and relatives said goodbye to the artist Valentinus Antanavičius in Vilnius Culture

The well-known painter and creator of assemblages V. Antanavičius died on September 20. in his 89th year.

1956-1962 he studied at the then Art Institute in Vilnius. Since 1962 taught at MKČiurlionis Arts Gymnasium, and since 1988 and Vilnius Academy of Arts. in 1964 became a member of the Lithuanian Union of Artists.

According to art researcher Raminta Jurėnaitė, V. Antanavičius was perhaps one of the most consistent nonconformists of his generation, and after he started actively creating in the mid-1960s, he was on the outskirts of official artistic life until “perestroika”.

The artist himself said that he never felt like a big rebel, but looked at his work as a personal decision to do what seemed interesting at the time.

“When you start making such works, you already know that you will not be able to show them anywhere publicly. And then, as soon as you make such a decision, you become free”, said the artist in 2022. after the opening of his last exhibition “The world through the eyes of a wearer” in the “Titanikas” exhibition halls of the Vilnius Academy of Arts.

1998-2000 the artist participated in the activities of the group “24”, became famous for his paintings and assemblages, and also created graphic works and set designs.

in 1992 V. Antanavičius was honored with the Lithuanian National Culture and Art Prize, 2006. he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order “For Merit to Lithuania”.

in 2002 the album presenting the artist’s work “Valentinas Antanavičius” (composed by Valentinas Antanavičius, Eugenijus Karpavičius) was published. In 2011, the book “Life without parade: the artist’s memories and reflections” was published.