In the Shadow of Knowledge. Sculpture Pre-context
“We also hold what resides in the shadow of knowledge,” remarked Vladas Urbanavičius, one of Lithuania’s most renowned sculptors, in conversation with the art critic Alfonsas Andriuškevičius. This idea defines the concept of the exhibition, which presents sculpture as a direct, sensory experience. Sculpture in the shadow of knowledge invites viewers to encounter sculptural objects before contextualizing their themes or meanings. Here, the emphasis is on the intrinsic properties of sculpture – its spatial presence, materiality, and emotional impact – elements we perceive immediately, before engaging in rational analysis and starting to “read” the work like a book. The exhibition unfolds in three sections: space, material, and dream. It features works from the TARTLE collection, spanning the 19th to the 21st centuries, with a strong focus on classical and modernist Lithuanian sculpture. Complementing these pieces are contemporary sculptures from artists’ private collections, which challenge tradition and invite new ways of seeing – offering moments of surprise and discovery.

We would like to invite you to register for the first Tartle exhibition A Glance at the History of Lithuanian Art from Užupis.

Your vocabulary and sensations will soon be complemented by new experiences – ART APPRECIATION.

Jau greit startuosime pilnu pajėgumu su Vilniaus miesto savivaldybės projektu SU-MENĖK!

Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!
From June 8 to September 21, 2025, you can visit Gediminas and Nomeda Urbonai installation Futurity Island from the TARTLE collection at the Helsinki Biennale.

The exhibition, titled “Wild Souls. Symbolism in the Baltic States” upcoming at KUMU exhibition spaces from October 11, 2018.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all for the congratulations and interest in visiting the centre!

The Art Centre Tartle opened in Vilnius will feature unique exhibits of our history and art. From now on visitors of the private collection introduced in Užupis will be able to see live unique valuables of Lithuanian art and history, such as privileges of grand dukes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL) written on parchment, one of the first books printed in Lithuanian – Postilla by J.Bretkūnas or one of the rarest masterworks of the 17th century – the watch by Jacob Gierke. Art fans will be able to admire more than 7 thousands of exhibits that also include the largest collection of paintings about Vilnius.

The gallery of the Tartle Lithuanian Art Centre is a new centre of attraction on the Vilnius cultural scene, situated at the highest point in Užupis, near the square at which Užupio Street divides into Krivių and Polocko streets. The first Tartle exhibition offers a view from the hill, looking to the north, west and south, to explore the peaks of Lithuanian art history.