Last Chance to See Virgilijus Šonta Retrospective at National Art Gallery

The National Art Gallery is hosting a major retrospective of Lithuanian photographer Virgilijus Šonta's work, titled "Virgilijus Šonta: Answer, My Friend, Is Fluttering in the Wind." The exhibition, which runs until June 21, is the first comprehensive display of the artist's career. Visitors can attend special "hospitable days" on June 20-21, with gallery entry costing only 1 euro and guided tours available.

The exhibition features over 200 of Šonta's own prints and biographical documents, offering a deep dive into the enigmatic artist's life and diverse body of work. Despite a life marked by the suppressions of the era, hidden truths, and a tragic early death at 40, Šonta's artistic legacy remains significant and relevant. The exhibition is structured as a series of interconnected spaces, each exploring different themes of his life and art. A central architectural element, a swing, invites contemplation and personal reflection.

Guided tours are offered to help visitors understand the codes within Šonta's life and work. The exhibition highlights his use of analog photography, his early studies, his involvement with the Lithuanian Photographers' Association, the shadow of the KGB, his hidden identity (LGBTQ+), U.S. citizenship, and his travels. Like Šonta's life, the exhibition is filled with mysteries and questions, with answers still "fluttering in the wind."

The exhibition, a collaboration with the artist's family and the Kaunas Photography Gallery, provides a rare opportunity to engage with Šonta's multifaceted work, including his landscape photography and previously unseen pieces exploring LGBTQ+ themes. Curator Dr. Margarita Matulytė will lead a guided tour on June 21.