VILIUS BISKIS WOOD AND METAL PLASTIC EXHIBITION "SHIPS"

July 4-27 Vilius Biskis wood and metal plastic exhibition "Ships" is open in Šiauliai art gallery.

Exhibition opening on July 4, at 5:30 p.m. Šiauliai art gallery. Visiting the exhibition during the opening is free.

All of sculptor, woodcarver Viliaus Biškis, g. In 1954, his life and work were connected with Šiauliai. He was born here and never left this city. Vilius has been creating since he was young. Already his early work is solid, strongly forged, sculptural, surprising in the art of treating figures, when each work conveys an essential thought and the ability to compose a monumental form with coded meanings. It seems that the creator does not rely on a spontaneous catch, but studies every detail for a long time. In his works, the sculptor analyzes the meaning of the historical and the present, boldly integrates stone, next to wood, bronze, brass and often even unexpected materials. The works contain references to key historical events – the symbols and development of Christianity (angels, crucified, south), exiles, today’s identity. What the topic of religion means to the sculptor should be discussed separately. Believing in God is not simple and easy, it is even more difficult to depict or carve in stone or wood. Vilias Biskis’ sculptures of Christ’s Passion flow from Lithuanian religion and mythology. Vilias Biskis’ sculptures can be found from our Mount of Crosses to the USA. Many of his works have traveled to neighboring Latvia, Hungary, Germany, Italy… The sculptor annually participates in various exhibitions and creative camps in Lithuania and later. Vilis Biskis has been granted the status of a creator, he is a member of the Union of Lithuanian Folk Artists and Artists of Žemaitsa.

This jubilee exhibition of the author’s 70th birthday is dedicated to ships, maybe let’s say more broadly – to shipping. Agree, unexpected. It is true that Vilius Biskis served in the navy during the Soviet era. Of course, the Soviet army is not the place where the love of the sea and ships is destroyed, but among the stupid slogans and worn-out slogans, something remained in the young man’s soul. They say there is evidence that ships existed more than 7,000 years ago. They have long been needed for fishing, trade, wars, and searching for new lands. In the 17th century, interest in sailing also began as a form of entertainment or sport. They also started creating models of ships, which were used by mankind for many different purposes: in rituals, as gravestones, household items, toys, and precisely – works of art, which the sculptor from Šiauliai continued. The first models were made of wood, clay, ivory, lead and other materials, which Vilius Biskis uses even more in his works. Hanging models of medieval ships in churches, in order to protect the ship and crew from disasters at sea, gave birth to the custom of sailors and ship owners to hang votive ships next to the paintings of saints. Modeling of ships has given rise to a peculiar art, specimens of which are highly valued. The plasticity of the line obtained in the ships of Vilias Biskis becomes the most important tool for him. The theme of festivity, mystery and eccentricity never disappears from the sculptures. You think that maybe it’s good – you separate Viliaus’ works according to that. Most sculptors of his generation began to explore themes of ugliness and this became a fashionable “aesthetic”. This is where the creative paths of Viliaus Biskis and his colleagues diverged.
What else is characteristic of Vilias Biskis’s work? The expressiveness of the gesture. And this, like the sense of color in painting. The goal of Viliaus Biškis’ life is creativity. Maybe this enthusiasm of the creator allowed him to be productive and hold exhibitions.

Charming and unexpected shapes. It seems that Vilius Biskis is a mood sculptor. True, his mood is almost always good. Almost always. Sometimes the sculptor dwells on a detail, an episode, but usually everything merges in movement. Sculptor Vilius Biskis should be classified as a group of creators who live a boisterous, bohemian life – here fairies wander, red wine pours, the sun shines, and flowers bloom. Maybe it was like that, but usually Vilius likes calmness, a quiet presence in the corner, because only then, according to him, mature works are born. Therefore, life in Šiauliai’s art would be different without this creator, that is, undoubtedly poorer.

– Ričardas Jakutis

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Dear visitors, when participating in exhibition openings, you do not mind that they can be filmed or photographed, and their photos are published on the Šiauliai Art Gallery’s website, in the media or on social networks.