‘Baltic Artists in Australia – Celebrating 100 Years’ is a retrospective group exhibition of artists living and working in Australia, with origins from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
2018 marks 100 years since all three Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – first declared their independence. These have been rather eventful 100 years and unfortunately following the World War II all three countries were occupied for several decades. During the war, many people escaped its horrors and afterward the pressures of an occupied society in search of freedom and peaceful life. By now a third generation has grown up calling Australia their home, with origins from one of the Baltic countries.
The exhibition is showcasing works by selected artists with Baltic origins with different backgrounds: some may have fled their country during World War II as children or youths, others being descendants of Baltic origin or moved here in more recent times. Over decades they have integrated into Australian society and many have made significant impact on Australian culture.
The selection of venue – Fountain Court of NSW Parliament – is also a meaningful choice for the exhibition as it was designed by an architect of Latvian origin, Andrew Andersons. The exhibition includes work by Vaclovas Ratas, Imants Tillers, Vaike Limbus, Eva Qubbos, Jan Senders, Tiiu Reissar and more.
Some of the exhibitors: Pēteris Ciemītis is a Perth based artist who has been an Archibald finalist twice and won the 2010 Black Swan Portraiture Prize. He has represented Australia at the Qingdoa Biennale in China, the G20 Exhibition in Hangzhou, and the ‘Personal Structures’ collateral exhibition of the Venice Biennale 2017. Vaike Liibus was an artist with particular talent for capturing strong characters on canvas and an appetite for getting to know more about them in the process. Henry Šalkauskas was a graphic artist and a monumental watercolourist who made a lasting impression in the Australian art world, winning over sixty art prizes and awards in Australia and overseas. Eva Kubbos was born in Lithuania and arrived in Australia in 1952. She has represented Australia in several international art exhibitions and has made a significant contribution to Australian art scene overall, particularly in the areas of watercolour and printmaking. Eva was a foundation member of the Sydney Printmakers Society, has been a member of Contemporary Art Society and currently still is a member of Australian Watercolour Institute Lithuanian born Irena Pauliukonis-Sibley graduated in Fine Arts in 1964 from the National Art School in Sydney. After marrying artist Andrew Sibley in 1967 she moved to Melbourne where she taught art in several preparatory and high schools. Leonas Urbonas migrated to Australia in 1948, after spending few years in a refugee camp in Hanau, Germany. After completing his migrant work contract in sugar cane plantations of Queensland, Leonas moved to live in Sydney. Latvian born Jan Senbergs is one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists. In an art career spanning 50 years he has had numerous one-man exhibitions, with a major retrospective show at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2016.
More information about Baltic Artists in Australia – Celebrating 100 Years is available at their website and Facebook events. The exhibition will be open for public viewing: Tuesday 29 May – Thursday 28 June 2018 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
Fountain Court, NSW Parliament House
6 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000