Iron Curtain, 2023, original technique, mixed fiber felt, metal alloy, 327x327 cm

1st place, 7th International Textile Art Triennial Tradition and Innovation 2023 - Quo Vadis?, Riga, Latvia.

The Iron Curtain - is the boundary separating the awful and insane aggressor from a civilised world. I started sewing the curtain four months after the war started. I just had to control the chaos, fear, disappointment and helplessness that was going on inside of me. Whilst sewing I was putting the evil empire’s ghosts of the past and I defended myself from the terrible reality. I sewed the iron curtain from thick felt, which I covered in metal alloy. The metal surface reacts to the environment which causes it to oxidise and gradually over time gets by covered with patina. (Overtime, the surface colour of the piece will change, getting covered in oxidised film). Patina, is my metaphor for time and space.

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Loreta Švaikauskienė
Education:
1991- 1995 m. - VDA studies, Faculty of Fine Arts (Part Division), a specialty art pedagogy
1998- 2000 m. - Master study VDA, Kaunas Art Institute of Applied Textile Specialty. Master of Arts degree.
Professional occupation:
Associated professor at the Vilnius Accademy of Arts, Kaunas faculty (since 2001).
Lithuanian Artists’ Association, member since 2004.
Memerships and board activities:
2015 10th International Kaunas Biennial UNITEXT Organising Committee Board Member, Artist.
2013 9th International Kaunas Biennial UNITEXT Organising Committee Board Member, Artist.
2011 8th International Kaunas Biennial TEXTILE 11: REWIND-PLAY-FORWARD Organising Committee Board Member, Artist.
2009 7th International Kaunas Biennial TEXTILE 09, Organising Committee Board Member, Artist.
2007 6th International Kaunas Biennial TEXTILE 07, Organising Committee Board Member, Artist.
2005 5th International Kaunas Biennial TEXTILE 05, Organising Committee Board Member, Artist.
2004 Lithuanian Artists’ Association, member since 2004.
 
From 1991 to 2004 - costume designer for drama theater, modern dance, jazz performances
 
Since 1995, she has been participating in exhibitions and actively creating.
Exhibitions:
In 2023 European textile exibition, Tradition and Innovation „Quo vadis“, Riga, Latvia
In 2021 St. George Altar, St. George Dubingiai Church, Lithuania
In 2015 COLLECT International Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London 2014 exhibition.
In 2014 Design Exhibition „Index International Interior 2014 „, World Trade Center Exhibition Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
 
 Awards and grants:
2016 Main prize for “The Seasons. The Spring’s Joys”, K. Donelaitis, VII Textile Biennial “Textile for Body and Soul”, “Arka” Gallery, Vilnius.
2014 Lithuanian Republic grant for art and culture makers.
2010 Award at International university tutors’ exhibition, Kaliningrad, Russia.
2007 International Textile Triennial “Lodz 12”
                        1.  Special Jury Prize;
                        2.  Medal from Lodz Central Textile Art Museum.
2003 – 2004    Lithuanian Republic grant for art and culture makers.
2003 2nd prize at 4th International textile exhibition “Right and Wrong Side”, Kaunas.
2001 Award at International textile exhibition “Soft World”, Kaunas.
1997 Award for costume design in “Summer in Noan” at theatre festival “Spring Bells”, Kaunas.
1992 2nd prize, Fashion Days, “Vilnius 92”.
 
Works in collections:
M.K.Ciurlionio Museum of Art, the artwork "Temptation", in private interiors and collections.