News

New updated permanent exhibit „Vytautas Kasiulis (1918-1995): from Simnas to Paris“ was introduced to the public with the Kasiulis canvases brought from the Kazickas family art collections in New York and Vilnius.

On Wednesday, June 13, 2018 the Lithuanian Art Museum and the Kazickas Family Foundation invited guests to the exhibit "Vytautas Kasiulis (1918-1995): from Simnas to Paris“ opening at the Vytautas Kasiulis Art Museum. Never before displayed canvases with new facts from artist‘s life, as well as observations of his work were added to Vytautas Kasiulis permanent exhibit. The main focus of this exhibit – Vytautas Kasiulis canvases from the philanthropist and his patron dr. Joseph Peter Kazickas family collections in USA and Vilnius that are being shown to the public for the first time. This Kazickas family collection at the Vytautas Kasiulis Art Museum will be on display for one year till June 23, 2019. Guests had an opportunity to learn more about dr. Joseph P. Kazickas‘ life and work through the traveling exhibit temporarily displayed at the V. Kasiulis Art Museum.

This year Lithuania marks not just the anniversary of a Restored Lithuania, but also 100th anniversaries of two individuals who left a deep footprint in Lithuania‘s cultural history – artist Vytautas Kasiulis and his friend and patron dr. Joseph P. Kazickas. Their friendship started accidentally on a pre-war sports court and then, after leaving their Homeland, was renewed years later in Paris while opening the gallery. Thanks to dr. Joseph P. Kazickas financial help, Vytautas Kasiulis could rent Galerie Royal in the central Paris (1970s to 1990s) and had an opportunity to market his work, develop his gallerist business, sell antiques and othe art works. Invited by dr. Joseph Kazickas, artist was searching for new inspirations for his work at his friend‘s summer house in the Bahamas, visited Alexandra and Joseph at their home in New York. Dr. Joseph Kazickas supported many Lithuanian artists, such as Vytautas Kazimieras Jonynas, Vytautas Kasuba, Vladas Vildziunas.

Philanthropist‘s daughter Jurate Kazickas who initiated the anniversary events, participated at the exhibit opening together with her brothers John A. Kazickas and Joseph M. Kazickas with his wife Lucy who arrived from New York. Vytautas Kasiulis‘ son Vytautas with his wife Nelly came from Paris. Among the guests there were also Romualdas Budrys, Lithuanian Art Museum director; Laima Bialopetraviciene, director‘s assistant to science; Neila Baumilienė, the Kazickas Family Foundation NY office director; Agne Vertelkaite, Foundation‘s Vilnius office program manager.

Ilona Mazeikiene, Vytautas Kasiulis Art Museum director and art researcher hosted the event.

Excerpt from the documentary „Vytautas Kasiulis (1918–1995): To Paris and Back“ (2013)  (producer – journalist Edita Mildazyte) was introduced.

Vytautas Kasiulis Art Museum thanks to dedicated friends, loyal helpers, art work lenders and project partners: National M. K. Ciurlionis Art Museum, Lithuanian Cinema, Theater and Music Museum, Lithuanian Diaspora Art Foundation, Borstahusen Art Association, UAB „Ekspobalta“ and architects Saulius Valys and Jezis Daveiko, UAB „Bikuvos prekyba“ and its director Gintaras Sadaunikas, art collector Rolandas Valiunas, gallerist and Southern Sweeden Lituanian Community member Sarunas Blinstrubas, poet Kazys Bradunas daughter Elena Bradunaite-Aglinskiene.

Info: Ilona Mazeikiene, Vytautas Kasiulis Art Museum