Land Music

According to Kęstutis Zapkus (b. 1938), we can discern hints of oceans, the firmament, outer space, and even computer digital signals in this impressively large-scale abstraction, measuring one by 2.5 metres (cf. Kęstutis Zapkus. Tapyba ir piešiniai [Kęstutis Zapkus. Painting and Drawings], ed. Laima Kreivytė, Vilnius: Lithuanian Expatriate Art Foundation, 2014, p. 30). The artist consistently emphasises an openness to the world and a heightened sensitivity to the reality unfolding in the present moment. He was acutely aware of the threats posed by the Cold War and pressing ecological crises. When he returned to Lithuania to teach in 1992, he instilled this attentiveness in his students. Although his tenure at Vilnius Academy of Art lasted less than a year, Zapkus inspired fundamental changes in the artistic practices of the younger generation. Equally significant was his emphasis on professional autonomy: he taught his students the basics of management, and encouraged them to plan and actively pursue their careers independently, without relying on centralised state support, as was customary during the Soviet period. Students were urged to engage directly with their audience, to articulate the meaning of their work during mid-term reviews, and to participate in discussions with their peers and teachers, an approach that was revolutionary at the Academy at the time. Thanks to Zapkus’ mentorship, artists such as Patricija Jurkšaitytė, Ieva Martinaitytė-Mediodia, Aidas Bareikis and Žilvinas Kempinas not only emerged as outstanding talents, but also built successful international careers.

Text author Laura Petrauskaitė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album ARTISTS ON THE MOVE (2025). Compiler and text author Laura Petrauskaitė

According to Kęstutis Zapkus (b. 1938), we can discern hints of oceans, the firmament, outer space, and even computer digital signals in this impressively large-scale abstraction, measuring one by 2.5 metres (cf. Kęstutis Zapkus. Tapyba ir piešiniai [Kęstutis Zapkus. Painting and Drawings], ed. Laima Kreivytė, Vilnius: Lithuanian Expatriate Art Foundation, 2014, p. 30). The artist consistently emphasises an openness to the world and a heightened sensitivity to the reality unfolding in the present moment. He was acutely aware of the threats posed by the Cold War and pressing ecological crises. When he returned to Lithuania to teach in 1992, he instilled this attentiveness in his students. Although his tenure at Vilnius Academy of Art lasted less than a year, Zapkus inspired fundamental changes in the artistic practices of the younger generation. Equally significant was his emphasis on professional autonomy: he taught his students the basics of management, and encouraged them to plan and actively pursue their careers independently, without relying on centralised state support, as was customary during the Soviet period. Students were urged to engage directly with their audience, to articulate the meaning of their work during mid-term reviews, and to participate in discussions with their peers and teachers, an approach that was revolutionary at the Academy at the time. Thanks to Zapkus’ mentorship, artists such as Patricija Jurkšaitytė, Ieva Martinaitytė-Mediodia, Aidas Bareikis and Žilvinas Kempinas not only emerged as outstanding talents, but also built successful international careers.

Text author Laura Petrauskaitė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album ARTISTS ON THE MOVE (2025). Compiler and text author Laura Petrauskaitė