Lithuanian Contemporary Art from the 1960s to Today. A Major Donation

Eglė Rakauskaitė
For Guilty without Guilt. Trap. Expulsion from Paradise, 1997
MO Collection

The Centre Pompidou, in partnership with the MO Museum in Vilnius and in conjunction with the Season of Lithuania in France, presents an exhibition showcasing the richness and uniqueness of Lithuanian art from the 1960s to the present. Featuring a diverse collection of paintings, drawings, installations, and video art, the exhibition highlights new acquisitions by artists from multiple generations whose works hold significant importance.

This exhibition features a donation made possible by the MO Museum’s founders, Danguolė and Viktoras Butkus, which will meaningfully expand the Centre Pompidou’s collection. The donation includes key historical artworks by Marija Teresė Rožanskaitė, Kazimiera Zimblytė, Linas Leonas Katinas, Marija Švažienė, Vincas Kisarauskas, and Elvyra Kairiūkštytė. Most of these artists, whose innovative artistic practices were suppressed during the Soviet occupation, have received recognition only posthumously, for example, Marija Teresė Rožanskaitė (1933–2007) is currently representing Lithuania at the 60th Venice Biennale together with Pakui Hardware.

The isolation imposed during the Soviet occupation led to Lithuanian modern art being largely overlooked in Western European art history. Despite these challenges, Lithuanian artists produced significant works that provide unique perspectives and bold messages. Today, these artworks offer crucial voices and experiences in the context of ongoing political turmoil, aggression, populism, and new imperialism.

The Pompidou collection has also been enhanced with contemporary artworks by Eglė Rakauskaitė, Anastasia Sosunova, Andrius Arutiunian, Žilvinas Landzbergas, and Pakui Hardware, which are featured in the exhibition. These contemporary artists, known for their distinctive creative approaches, have already gained international recognition and continue to make significant contributions to the global art scene.

Exhibition is organized by MO Museum (LT) and Centre Pompidou (FR) with the support of the Lithuanian Season in France 2024.

Alicia Knock, Miglė Survilaitė, Marie Siguier

Andrius Arutiunian (b. 1991), Elvyra Kairiūkštytė (1950–2006), Leonas Linas Katinas (1941–2020), Vincas Kisarauskas (1934–1988), Žilvinas Landzbergas (b. 1979), Pakui Hardware: Neringa Černiauskaitė (b. 1984) ir Ugnius Gelguda (b. 1977), Eglė Rakauskaitė (b. 1967), Marija Teresė Rožanskaitė (1933– 2007), Anastasia Sosunova (b. 1993), Emilija Škarnulytė (b. 1987), Marija Švažienė (b. 1930), Kazimiera Zimblytė (1933–1999)