My Pegasus

Lilijana Tumaitė, who was born in 1942 in Kaunas, Lithuania, comes from a family of distinguished heritage. Her grandfather, Jonas Tumas, was a book bearer who spent many years in solitary confinement in Kresty Prison during the Tsarist era due to his involvement in Lithuania’s national movement. In addition, her grandfather’s brother, Juozas Tumas - Vaižgantas, played a pivotal role in Lithuania’s quest for independence and is regarded as a classic figure in Lithuanian literature.

An environment rich in literature, music, and the arts surrounded Tumaitė throughout her upbringing. In 1974, she graduated from the Art Academy, where she specialized in decorative arts, focusing particularly on textiles. After moving to Vilnius, she briefly took positions as a painter at the Aušra Cinema and at the Litexpo Exhibition Centre. Later, she assumed the role of senior research associate and fund keeper at the Lithuanian Art Museum.

Although Tumaitė’s initial artistic pursuits were in the field of textiles, she ultimately dedicated herself entirely to painting, which evolved into her greatest passion. Over her career, she has presented 17 solo exhibitions. Her creations have attracted not only Lithuanian collectors but also international art enthusiasts, resulting in her paintings reaching audiences beyond her homeland.

In more recent times, Tumaitė has focused her artwork on the theme of nature, exploring it as a potent and enigmatic force. Her paintings frequently portray mythical beings, deities, and mysterious landscapes, with humans portrayed as an integral component of this realm. Animals emerge both as residents and as symbols—prophets and vessels of nature’s mysteries. The deep respect and nearly sacred perspective with which she depicts these subjects infuse her art with a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere.