Dedicated to the memory of the late designer and sculptor Kęstutis Keparutis, this exhibition showcases his artistic legacy. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore Kęstutis' cherished academic drawings from his studies at the Vilnius Academy of Arts—works he safeguarded as they traveled with him from Vilnius to Canada and back. Additionally, the exhibition features his small-scale sculptures, some created during his time in Canada and others crafted after his return to Lithuania.
Kęstutis Keparutis was born in the village of Nagiai, Raseiniai County, in 1949. In 1950, he and his family were exiled to Siberia, where he completed his primary education. Upon returning to Lithuania, he graduated from secondary school in Kėdainiai, served in the military, and in 1976 completed his studies at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, specializing in design.
He worked as a designer at the "Vilma" factory in Vilnius, creating prototypes of cassette recorders. At the Art Combine, he engaged in design, craftsmanship, and jewelry making. After joining the Lithuanian Artists' Association in 1983, he began actively participating in national and union exhibitions.
In 1990, Kęstutis emigrated to Canada, where he worked as an artist until his return to Lithuania in 2016. His extensive experience included sculpture, monument design, graphic and industrial design, blacksmithing, and set design. With a strong grasp of craftsmanship and an engineering mindset, he successfully built a career in Canada, even contributing to the film industry, where his ingenuity was highly valued. He actively participated in the Lithuanian community and organized two solo exhibitions.
In 2015, Kęstutis restored his Lithuanian citizenship, and in 2017, he rejoined the Lithuanian Artists' Association. He became involved in exhibitions and events organized by the Vilnius sculptors’ section. His participation in sculpture exhibitions dedicated to the centenary of Lithuania’s restored independence (2017–2019) took him on a journey across Lithuania, fully immersing himself in his long-dreamed-of sculptural work. Occasionally, he also took part in ice sculpture festivals or crafted intricate sculptures for public spaces.
He worked across various genres and scales, mastering different materials—metals, wood, stone—but his deepest passion was for bronze and copper. His expertise in forging and welding these metals, reaching a virtuoso level, allowed Kęstutis to bring even the most intricate artistic visions to life. Keparutis bent, hammered, and welded copper with a rare craftsmanship, exhibiting remarkable precision, ingenuity, and rationality in his sculptural work. His portraits and sculptures dedicated to the theme of women reveal a distinct approach, setting him apart from most Lithuanian sculptors. His exposure to the world and experience working abroad only broadened his artistic scope and thematic exploration.
Kęstutis also inspired his wife, Janina Keparutė, to pursue painting, handing her the opportunity to express herself through color and imagery, beyond her beloved literature. Janina’s paintings are deeply conceptual, evocative of Čiurlionis, filled with symbols and metaphors that unveil her poetic nature. As she embarks on her artistic journey, seeking authenticity and safeguarding her individuality, she steps into realms where deep feeling and experience are essential—where their paths may once again cross.
Thus, in this retrospective exhibition of Kęstutis Keparutis, presented in a space he long dreamed of, the solist meets his accompanying muse from beyond. Janina, preserving both the creative and life legacy, guides him with a poetic, colorful vision. This is how transformation unfolds—led by artistic bridges, where though the body may perish, the immortal soul continues dreaming, encountering future moments in landscapes where new copper castles rise and unknown realities reveal themselves.
Curated by
Aušra Jasiukevičiūtė and Daumantas Kučas
The project is partially financed by the Druskininkai Municipality
The project "Druskininkai - Lithuanian Capital of Culture 2025" is partially financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania
Information partner LRT
Patron "Eglės" sanatorium
General sponsor Druskininkai water park
Sponsors: UAB "Akvavita", UAB "Drusta", Rotary club "Sūrutis", UAB "Malonės turtas", UAB "Dzūkas", hotel "Simpatija", UAB "Stikloporas", restaurant "Sicilia"
Durys atidaromos: June 7 15:00
Duration: until July 2
Price: the exhibition visit is free of charge