The Worlds of Jurgis Mikševičius

Publication released in Lithuanian and English

 

The Worlds of Jurgis Mikševičius is the first presentation on such a large scale of works in Lithuania by Jurgis Mikševičius (1923–2014), a Lithuanian-born artist who went on to work in Australia. Having been born in Šiauliai and raised in Kaunas, the commotion of World War II cast Mikševičius and his family to Germany where, coming to terms with his complicated fate, he completed his art studies, and then on to Australia where his creative powers were revealed most distinctly. The multifaceted work of Jurgis Mikševičius combines the painful experiences of war, his love for the Australian landscape, and his warm, sensitive affection for people. At the start of his career, his work was mostly influenced by French postimpressionist art and German expressionism, conveyed as intense emotional expression and bold colours. His later work was influenced more by studies in Eastern philosophy and his journeys to India. Buddhist practices strengthened the spiritual core of Mikševičius’ work, steering him in the direction of meditation and philosophical contemplation. A retreat from public life turned out to be a determining factor in allowing the artist’s creative legacy to remain within his family’s environment. The exhibition and accompanying catalogue were based on a gift from the Mikševičius family to Lithuania: in 2023 they donated a collection of 77 of the artist’s paintings and graphic art works to the Lithuanian National Museum of Art, along with part of his documentary archive.

 

In addition to the catalogue editor’s introductory article, exhibition texts, and lists of exhibitions and works, the publication also includes conversations with the artist that his daughter Carolyn had recorded over a period of several years. The artist’s complicated life experiences are conveyed through his authentic manner of conversing, helping readers better understand his thinking, attitude towards art, to delve into the artist’s rich, inner world, his life-wisdom, spirituality and human experience.

 

 

 

Editor and author of the introductory article Regina Urbonienė

Text authors: Carolyn Leigh, Ilona Mažeikienė,

Regina Urbonienė

Copy editor Ilona Čiužauskaitė

Translators: Irena Jomantienė, Albina Strunga

Designer Domantas Pigulevičius

Photographer Antanas Lukšėnas

Scanning: Vaidotas Aukštaitis,

Mindaugas Česlikauskas, Gediminas Savickis

Copies 400

132 pages

25 x 20 cm

 

 

Regarding the purchase and shipping of the publication abroad, please contact us by e-mail leidyba@lndm.lt