AUKSTAITIJA

Valerija Vija Tarabildienė, a distinguished Lithuanian artist, pursued her studies in monumental painting at the Vilnius Institute of Arts (now the Academy of Fine Arts) from 1960 to 1967. Following her graduation, she became an active figure in the art community, taking part in over 150 group exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad since 1968. In addition to her numerous collective exhibitions, she has mounted 36 solo shows and participated in international plein-air art gatherings. Her body of work encompasses more than 20 murals and frescoes created for various interiors, reflecting her expertise in large-scale artistic endeavors. She is also acclaimed as a painter, watercolourist, and educator, with a notable presence at international watercolour biennials.

Her watercolour pieces have received respected accolades, including an award at the International Watercolour Triennial in Riga (2001), as well as prizes from the Vilnius Art Museum and the Čiurlionis Gallery in Chicago during the 2005 “Lithuanian Way” competition. At the 7th World Samogitian Exhibition, "The Year of the Battle of the Sun," in 2016, she was presented with the Silver Honour Mark. Such recognitions underscore the esteem for her talent and the significant influence of her work within the artistic community.

The motif of remembrance is central to Tarabildienė’s oeuvre. Her creations are distinguished by inventive exploration and a unique viewpoint, deriving inspiration from her impressions, the surrounding environment, and profound layers of cultural memory and ancient civilizations. In her art, she pursues motifs that embody reliability, stability, and permanence—offering a contrast to the tumultuous and ever-changing nature of modern existence. Striving for harmony and balance, she employs colour and line to achieve a striking and enduring visual effect in her compositions.

Vija Tarabildienė’s works form part of the collections of such leading institutions as the Lithuanian Art Museum, Samogitian Art Museum, and the Vilnius Academy of Arts Museum. Her pieces are also represented internationally, found in the Library of the National University of Paris and in private collections throughout the United States, Germany, Poland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, the Republic of Ireland, and Canada. A member of the Lithuanian Artists’ Association (LDS) since 1980, she holds official recognition as a Creator of Art, an acknowledgment of her substantial contribution to Lithuanian cultural life.