Very close to Happiness

Graphic artist, painter and sculptor, born in Kupiškis, currently lives and works in Vilnius. In 1991-1995 she studied graphic arts at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, and in 2013 she obtained a Master's degree in painting.


Eglė Kuckaitė's work is characterised by its elegance and subtlety. The compositions of the etchings are minimalist, even the line, the main means of graphic expression, is used by the artist sparingly, without overloading, without being intimidated by the white page. But she does not use colour at all.

You will quickly notice that there is little to no context in her works, even when depicting a city, she chooses the facades of a few buildings and hangs them in an empty space. And if there is a space surrounding the objects depicted, it is unreal, non-existent. The artist says that in this way she wants to prolong the uncertainty and the speculation of meanings, so that the viewer can search for his or her own interpretation  in the widest possible field.

One of the most frequent themes in Eglė's work is the fusion of nature and man. Here, human figures take on parts of plants or dissolve into lush foliage or the flames of fire, merging with the elements as a tiny part of a larger whole.

The artist has had exhibitions in Lithuania, and has participated in international exhibitions in Nurmes, Koli Ryynanen (Finland), Tallinn, Frankfurt, New York, Rome, Salzburg and Bucharest. In 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2017, the artist was awarded scholarships from the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture. In 2011 she won the Kulturkontakt Nord, and in 2005 she was awarded a scholarship from the North Karelia Arts Council. Kuckaitė's works have been acquired by Lithuanian and foreign museums and private collectors.


Awards:

2007 Grand Prix, 5th International Triennial Transfers, Prague

IBBY Diploma for the most artistic illustrations in a children's book, Vilnius

2004 Grand Prix, 13th Tallinn Graphic Triennial In Exile, Tallinn