Catalogue of sculptures exhibition (pdf)

  A wood carver and sculptor, pedagogue, a member of Lithuanian Folk Artists’ Union Algirdas Juškevičius (born in 1957) lives and works
in Varėna. Since early days A. Juškevičius has been attracted by nature and its beauty. During the studentship this craving assumed a creative
meaning. The author has been engaged in creative work since 1980. He mounted his first exhibition of works in Vilnius in 1987.

In the context of the process of the modern folk art A. Juškevičius is significant as a father of a new generation. He creates sacral and abstract
wooden sculptures, bas-reliefs, road side poles, masks, toys, and furniture from interlaced tree branches. In the works of the artist one can
notice a clear prolongation of Lithuanian folkways and a unique style that is distinguished by eloquent forms and consummated details. A link with traditions appears through sophistication, knowledge, and contact with ‘patriarchs’ of the outgoing generation. A. Juškevičius elevated the
knowledge of a sculptor’s mastership participating in the most significant ethno cultural events together with the most famous Lithuanian
artists Ipolitas Užkurnys, Antanas Česnulis, Jonas Jakštas, and Rimas Zinkevičius.

Since 1989 A. Juškevičius has been carving mostly sculptures of the saints. These works earned great popularity to the artist. He was inspired
by works of old folk artists who had worked in religious fields. A. Juškevičius saw their creative works in museums and in albums of folk
sculpture. He studied the feeling of a form and the very understanding of the religious art.

The carved saints are gently lyrical and have poetic mood. The author was original to convey the folk sculpture traditions into the wooden saints. The works are distinguished by an individual artistic form, visual suggestibility, and harmony of the whole.

The master’s ability to analyse information and to share secrets of a creative thought gives him uncommon communicability, enables him to participate in international projects or creative seminars with Icelanders, Polish, Swedish, also to rally and teach young sculptors in his studio.

The artist has mounted 14 exhibitions, participated in sculptors’ creative summer camps in Lithuania and abroad; his works have been
purchased by collectors and museums. A. Juškevičius is also a head of a youth art studio ‘Kadagys’ in Varėna cultural centre and teaches young people artistic wood carving. Besides, the artist has crafts sessions, accepts visitors and tourists, and materialises his projects in his studio, where he has cumulated a collection of carvings and ancient tools.