Vilnius: Photographs of the Old Town by Kęstutis Stoškus

Unfixed: New work by Ieva Baltaduonytė

Showing in Ireland for the first time, master black-and-white photographer Kęstutis Stoškus offers a fascinating insight into the architectural riches of Vilnius. His work carries forward an unbroken tradition of architectural photography of the Lithuanian capital, a World Heritage Listed site renowned for its unique combination of Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance styles.

(Missionary) Church of the Ascension © Kęstutis Stoškus, 1997

Rasu Cemetery in Winter © Kęstutis Stoškus, 1995

View of the Old Town with the belfry of Church of St. John © Kęstutis Stoškus, 1996

View from the Hill Bekešo © Kęstutis Stoškus, 2000

Courtyard in Užupis © Kęstutis Stoškus, 2003

Courtyard in Užupio Street © Kęstutis Stoškus, 1996

Malunu Street © Kęstutis Stoškus, 1997

View of the roofs of the churches © Kęstutis Stoškus, 1998

Šv. Ignoto Street © Kęstutis Stoškus, 2002

Siltadarzis Street © Kęstutis Stoškus, 1996

Altar ensemble of the Church of St. Catherine © Kęstutis Stoškus, 2000

Saint Kazimieras Street © Kęstutis Stoškus, 1997

Choral Synagogue © Kęstutis Stoškus

Recalling Atget’s pioneering studies of turn-of-the-century Paris, people rarely appear in Stoskus’ work. For him, the fabric of the town is more important than its passing inhabitants. Through his lens, we can experience the city, as though wandering on foot through its lanes and squares; we can accompany the photographer as he takes up the best vantage point, and patiently waits for the optimal angle of light. The exhibition is a tender architectural portrait which reveals the essential character of the city.

To complement this exhibition, new work by Irish-based artist Ieva Baltaduonytė explores the world of Lithuanian migrants in contemporary Ireland. In a series of sensitive and graceful colour studies, ‘Unfixed’ portrays recent migrants immersed within their new environment. It explores how their lives are surrounded by familiar Irish landscapes, yet infused with two histories, two languages – and two ways of seeing.

These exhibitions are presented as part of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. With thanks to the National Museum of Lithuania, The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to Ireland. The Gallery of Photography is supported by The Arts Council and Dublin City Council.

Ieva Baltaduonytė © Brian Cregan

Ieva Baltaduonytė, Tanya Kiang, Kęstutis Stoškus © Brian Cregan

Ieva Baltaduonytė, Kęstutis Stoškus© Brian Cregan

Photograph by Darragh Shanahan

Ieva Baltaduonytė. Photograph by Darragh Shanahan

Photograph by Darragh Shanahan

Trish Lambe. Photograph by Darragh Shanahan

Photograph by Darragh Shanahan

Kęstutis Stoškus, Tanya Kiang. Photograph by Darragh Shanahan

Photograph by Darragh Shanahan

Ieva Baltaduonytė. Photograph by Darragh Shanahan

Kęstutis Stoškus. Photograph by Darragh Shanahan

Ieva Baltaduonytė, Kęstutis Stoškus. Photograph by Darragh Shanahan

NOTES TO EDITORS:
A wide selection of image scans from both bodies of work, in colour and black-and-white, is available for download. Please contact the Gallery on 01-6714654 or info@galleryofphotography.ie for download details.

The exhibitions will be launched on Wednesday October 2nd at 6.30pm
The exhibitions continue until Tuesday October 15th
Open: 11am-6pm Tues-Sat; 1-6pm Sunday and Mondays by appointment
Group visits are welcome. Please contact the Gallery if you would like to arrange a guided tour. Admission is free.

About the Artists
Kęstutis Stoškus (b.1951) graduated from the University of Vilnius in 1973. Since 1985 he has been collaborating with leading Lithuanian publishing houses and his photographs have appeared in numerous publications. Since 1994 Stoškus has been working as a staff photographer at the National Museum of Lithuania. The artist held his first solo show in the Gdansk Gallery of Photography (Poland) in 1996. Since then, he has held seventeen solo shows in the museums and galleries of Austria, Belarus, Poland, Lithuania, France and Germany, and took part in twelve group exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad. Stoškus is a member of the Lithuanian Union of Photographic Artists since 2000.

Ieva Baltaduonytė (b.1988) is a Lithuanian born artist, currently living and working in Ireland, where she moved in 2005. She studied photography at the Dublin Institute of Technology, where she obtained a BA Hons degree in 2012. Since then, she was shortlisted for the 3rd Alliance Française Photography Award in 2013, her work has been published in international photography magazines such as ‘Camera Austria’ and shown in various group shows and exhibitions, including the main exhibition 'New Irish Works' at the PhotoIreland Festival in 2013, and at the Kaunas Photo Festival in 2012. You can visit Ieva’s website here.

About the Supporters

For information on Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union visit www.eu2013.lt.

About the Gallery of Photography Ireland

Established in 1978 the Gallery of Photography is Ireland’s centre for contemporary photography. The Gallery has exhibited many of the leading international names in photography and provides an important platform for emerging artists from Ireland and abroad. In addition to exhibitions, the gallery also provides photography courses, a specialist photography bookshop, membership programme, studio/darkroom facilities, and digital production facilities. The Gallery, which is non-profit making, is funded by the Arts Council and Dublin City Council, and also welcomes donations, sponsorship and support from members to help promote its activities. www.galleryofphotography.ie/