Rimaldas Vikšraitis' ‘Grimaces of the Weary Village’ in Glasgow
5 June – 1 August, 2010. A solo exhibition of Lithuania's most outstanding photographer, this body of work won the Arles Discovery Award for New Photography in 2009. Vikšraitis has been quietly pursuing his photography for years, cycling around the desolate farms in the Lithuanian countryside with his camera tied to his bike.
He grew up "between marshes and clay" in one of the most secluded corners of the Lithuanian Šakiai district. "You couldn't get out to the world without a large pair of wellingtons." In this way of life that is fast disappearing, any apparent dysfunctionality, propelled by liberal drinking of home brew appears to be an asset. Vikšraitis describes his subjects as "Bearing their cross and yet not grumbling over their lot." Behind the backdrop of hilarity is the disintegration of a way of living, and persistence for survival. Championed by Martin Parr, who remarks, ‘The resulting images are slightly insane and wonderfully surreal. They are quite compelling, and if I spoke Lithuanian, I would love to join in the party. However as this will never happen, Vikšraitis provides us with a ring side seat, with all the emotion, the drink and the ensuing madness.’
Rimaldas Vikšraitis won the Arles Discovery Award for New Photography in 2009. He was born in 1954 and graduated in photography from the Vilnius technical school and his mentor was the great Lithuanian photo artist Antanas Sutkus.
Grimaces of the Weary Village is the latest in a series of wonderfully titled visual narratives that began with Slaughter (1982-1986) and continued with Nude in a Desolate Farm (1991) and This Crazy World (1995). He has been a member of the Union of the Lithuanian Art Photographers since 1985. In 1997, the International Federation of Art Photography (FIAP) conferred the title Photoartist (AFIAP) on him. From 2000–2001 and 2003–2004, the Ministry of Culture of the Lithuanian Republic awarded him a state stipend.
‘Grimaces of the Weary Village’ has been curated by Martin Parr. He is represented by Anya Stonelake/White Space Gallery, London.
Street Level Photoworks, Trongate 103, Glasgow G1 5HD. Opening hours Tuesday to Saturday 10am till 5pm and Sunday 12 till 5pm. Free entrance
