Pranas Gailius
Mažeikiai, Lithuania
5 Works exhibited on Kooness
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Works by Pranas Gailius
Pranas Gailius (1928–2015) – one of the most renowned Lithuanian expatriate artists in the world, whom Lithuania discovered rather late. His creative work was first exhibited in his homeland only in 2004.
Already in his works from after 1952, the influences of prominent artists are present only in outlines. The framing of figures or more prominent linear accents were applied by P. Gailius in series such as "Georgics" (1957–1959), "Pan Elegies" (1952–1958), and "Luxembourg Garden" (1952–1958). In the mid-20th century, the wave of new expressionism that became popular in France also captured Pranas. He began to distance himself from figuration, and concreteness started to transform into abstraction.
However, the most important aspect was how P. Gailius perceived the necessity of visual abstraction. In his work, he emphasized plasticity, while he deemed realism as confining and oppressing imagination. The most important thing for him in his creations was the sensation, and he defined the purpose of art as sharing sensitivity: "When emotions turn into painting-plastic, they [become] energy that influences forms, lines, establishes rhythm, etc.; in short, that constructs a painting, like a house being built."
So, the artist's works differ from one another through the conveyed energy. In the cycle "Surface émue. Serie de ville d'Avray" ("Sensitive Surface. City of Avray Series"), created between 1965 and 1977, vibrant, joyful, even exuberant compositions of stylized images are visible. In the cycle also named "Surface émue" (1986–1995), the emotional state of P. Gailius becomes more abstract, with more seriousness in the works. In works created with acrylic on cardboard, like "Adret" ("Sunny Side," 1998–2004), one can feel the sun-burnt nature. And in the cycle "Hauteur d'ombre" ("Height of Shadow," 1985–1986) – refreshing coolness.
The artist said that all of his works could be called sensitive surfaces. Because in all of them, he sensitively depicts different emotional states. However, one state was constant. P. Gailius' works balance between pressure and liberation. About one graphic cycle – "Intra Muzros" (1965) – the author said that it's "a Dance of Anxiety. Anxiety that presses you, and from that anxiety bursts forth life, joy." This restless need for freedom, the artist emphasized throughout the entire process of creation. He never painted at the easel, but only stood barefoot, placing a sheet of paper on the table. He wouldn't rush his works, allowing them to breathe.