In a world where power dynamics, division and hierarchy shape the fabric of our society, Rūta Jusionytė’s work offers a breath of fresh air.

The works of Rūta Jusionytė transport us to a dreamlike and mythical dimension. The color of her paintings are bright and the lines expressive, as her subjects float on a neutral background, away from any temporal or spatial reference.

As for her characters, for the most part women and animals, are in turns archetypal and imaginary. They kiss, overlap, intertwine, and fill the canvas with a network of interactions. The delicate hand of a young girl is peacefully placed on a wild beast. Seemingly stroking its pelt in a moment of tenderness, of peaceful yet supervised sleep... The main subject emerges during this absence of action and narrative drama: coexistence. Thus, the relationships themselves and their inner emotional and intuitive structures are at the heart of these paintings. After all, where does the animal end, where does mankind begin?

“Historically, body and mind have been at odds for a long time. Instincts must be controlled, passions suppressed, dark feelings and emotions driven out. Thus, the mind (attributed to the spirit, not to incoherence) creates a hierarchical system in which everything animal in man is immersed in the lowest layers.”

Rūta’s works ask us to make up with the natural world. Rather than imposing human domination or superiority, she imbues her subjects with empathy, inviting us to contemplate the intrinsic dignity and value of each creature and, in doing so, guides us towards a different introspection field.

By celebrating moments of connection and vitality, Rūta Jusionytė’s works offer a break from the weight of the world, inviting us to revel in the simple pleasures life has to offer. In doing so, it fosters a sense of optimism and possibility. In essence, the artist's work serves as a powerful antidote to the cynicism and despair that often permeate contemporary discourse, reminding us of the transformative power of art to uplift, inspire, and ignite the spark of hope within us all.

Neringa Miller

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