Artist Evelina Šimkutė will be resident in Šilainiai June – August 2016.
Evelina will be continuing making work for her ‘Object’ sculpture series and engaging with the local community in Silainiai Photo project.
About the artist
I am a visual artist working with sculpture, photography and performance. My inspiration comes from the Šilainiai estate in Kaunas, Lithuania. I document and recreate objects and situations found there.
It is important for me to work with my bare hands, in contrast to the mass-produced nature of the original objects. The main materials I use are wood, concrete and steel, as I am recreating objects from the estate in their original form, function and material. By doing this I am translating and preserving my memories and relationships with the site.
I grew up in Šilainiai. My family was among the first occupants in the estate and it has become part of me as if it was an extension of my body. It has changed dramatically since I was a child and I try to examine those changes. The objects and places that I investigate have either been reclaimed by nature or lost their purpose after being broken and forgotten.
This summer I plan to make further pieces for the ‘Object’ series. I will also continue to document objects and situations found in Silainiai.
Biography
Evelina Šimkutė’s work is grounded in aspects of site, land and notions of home. She has worked on projects in Kettle’s Yard, London Canal Museum and The British Museum, where she produced installations and live performances. Her work also spans across the mediums of sculpture, photography and video.
Evelina has studied Fine Art at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. She lives and works in London, England (April 2016).
Šilainiai Project 