On December 3, a display of the Lithuanian Artists’ Union Annual Creative Awards GOLD MUSE / GOLD BADGE 2024 laureates will be inaugurated at Vilnius Town Hall.
This year’s laureates are Matas Dūda, the late Andrius Grigalaitis, and Rasa Žukienė.
Matas Dūda – an artist born in 1976 in Tallinn, who completed his education at M.K. Čiurlionis School of Arts in Vilnius and the Graphic Arts Department at Vilnius Academy of Arts, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in printmaking. In 2006, he also obtained a licentiate degree from Tallinn Academy of Arts. Since 2004, Dūda has worked at Vilnius Academy of Arts, where he has taught disciplines related to intaglio printmaking and bookbinding, gaining a reputation as an essential figure in the Lithuanian art community. Dūda’s work is characterized by mastery in intaglio techniques and a focus on bookbinding. His personal exhibitions, such as Gibaras Bauzdint, highlight his exploration of traditional printmaking methods, creating atmospheric compositions. Dūda’s art often emphasizes materiality and meditation, drawing viewers into focused, contemplative experiences.
Andrius Grigalaitis (1982–2024) – a talented photographer and videomaker born and raised in Lithuania. He earned a bachelor’s degree in audiovisual arts from Šiauliai University and a master’s degree in creative industries from Vytautas Magnus University. Grigalaitis contributed significantly to the Lithuanian Artists’ Union (LDS), working as the communications manager and helping to shape the modern LDS communication strategy. His minimalist and monochromatic photography captures both urban and natural landscapes, reflecting themes of melancholia and introspection. Grigalaitis documented the transformation of Lithuanian cities, including Šiauliai and Karoliniškės, capturing the fleeting beauty of places such as Dzūkija and distant landscapes like Iceland. His photography evokes a sense of mystery, inviting viewers to connect with a space of endless contemplation.
Rasa Žukienė – an eminent Lithuanian art historian and doctor of humanities with over 30 years of experience researching Lithuanian art history. After completing her studies at Vilnius Academy of Arts, she defended a dissertation on M.K. Čiurlionis: Between Symbolism and Modernism, laying the foundation for her subsequent academic research. Žukienė is a professor at Vytautas Magnus University, a member of the Lithuanian Art Historians’ Association, and the International Association of Art Critics (AICA), actively contributing to the academic and cultural discourse in Lithuania. Her scholarly work focuses on 20th-century Eastern European art history, Baltic emigration, and exile culture. Žukienė has curated numerous influential exhibitions, fostering discussions about the role of art in history and culture. She has received numerous awards, including the Kaunas Scientist Prize (2018), the P. Vileišis Medal (2011), and the Kaunas City Municipality Culture and Arts Award (2008), as well as a letter of recognition from the Mayor of Kaunas (2022) for her contributions to the “Kaunas – European Capital of Culture” project.
The exhibition is funded by the Lithuanian Culture Council.
