Romanas Krasninkevičius exhibition "(Un)known Romanas"

On Friday, October 2, at 5 p.m., the Kaunas District Museum will open the exhibition of Romanas Krasninkevičius' work, "(Un)known Romanas." This is the fifth exhibition of the project "On the Creative Paths of Romanas Krasninkevičius," inviting visitors to rediscover one of the most original folk artists of the Sūduva region from the second half of the 20th century.

A Loner Who Lived in a World of Creativity Romanas Krasninkevičius (1926–1996) was a self-taught graphic artist who created a distinctive and easily recognizable artistic style. He was born in the village of Stulgiai near Kybartai and began his creative journey in post-war Marijampolė after the painful trials of the Second World War. Here, he worked as a cinema advertising artist and later as an assistant worker at a kindergarten. Having never started a family and placing little importance on material comforts, the artist dedicated his entire self to his work. Sometimes misunderstood by those around him, the loner lived in his own world of imagery. He created black-and-white and colored graphic works of various formats, drawing on folklore, personal experience, and emotions. While adhering to traditional folk art representation principles, the artist interpreted them in his own way and developed a unique artistic language. Recognized early on as a master of folk art, Romanas Krasninkevičius was extremely productive—he participated in exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad, as well as in folk art seminars and plein-air sessions, and won awards and prizes in competitions. Today, his works are kept in many Lithuanian museums and are also valued by private collectors. Visitors will learn more about the artist's extraordinary personality, life story, and creative world by visiting the exhibition at the Kaunas District Museum in Raudondvaris. The exposition will feature works created during different periods of his career from the Marijampolė Region and President Kazys Grinius Museum's extensive collection of Romanas Krasninkevičius' works.

Part of a Six-Exhibition Cycle The project "On the Creative Paths of Romanas Krasninkevičius," implemented by the Marijampolė Region and President Kazys Grinius Museum, includes a cycle of six exhibitions titled "(Un)known Romanas." The fifth exhibition of this cycle is presented at the Kaunas District Museum. Other exhibitions of the project are currently running at the Marijampolė Region and President Kazys Grinius Museum and the Algimantas Kezys Gallery of the Kybartai Cultural Center. They present works from various stages of the artist's career—from early pieces to compositions created in the final years of his life. At the end of the exhibition, on November 27, the long-awaited publication on the work of Romanas Krasninkevičius, prepared based on the artist's collection held in the Art Collection of the Marijampolė Region and President Kazys Grinius Museum, will be presented at the Kaunas District Museum. On the same day, visitors can look forward to the presentation of the educational program "A Hundred Suns of Longing." Participants will be able to learn about and practically explore the secrets of graphic art in three different ways. More detailed information will be announced closer to the event. The project is funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and the Marijampolė Municipality. Project partners include the Druskininkai City Museum and the Druskininkai City Museum Gallery, the Kybartai Cultural Center and the Algimantas Kezys Gallery of the Kybartai Cultural Center, and the Kaunas District Museum. Partners and sponsors include the newspaper "Suvalkietis" and the tourism information center "SMART Marijampolė." Information sponsor – Marijampolė Television.