The Artwork of Violeta Tamosauskaite

A description by the artist

"I am fully aware that my work is not easily categorized. Perhaps it can be best described, in general, as "design in leather". Using this material I combine various forms, both linear and three-dimensional, into works of art.

In my search for the forms to use in my art, I find that a particular kind of emotional attitude is necessary, and a manner of thought which is inspired by two main sources: archaic folk art and mythology.

Although I live in the present, I experience these "archaic" forms not as outmoded or irrelevant; on the contrary, to me they seem "modern" in design. The designs I use are inextricably linked to the land and people of my own heritage. The Baltic peoples have a long tradition of creating meaningful, plastic forms which have a functional presence in everyday life.

Mythology is important, because it attempts, in a symbolic manner, to provide answers to the basic problems of man's existence. In my art, I especially refer to both the fairy tale and the Bible.

In general I utilize the forms in my work in a more abstract way than in a figurative one. A certain amount of stabiity and deliberation is therefore more important than the expression of the moment; static forms contribute to this manner of working. This also explains why I prefer to use leather. The material has an intrinsic beauty of its own, but is also relatively difficult to work with.in a "spontaneous" manner. One cannot quickly or randomly form it into a static three-dimensional design. Thus the material exerts a certain "control" over my creative process and prevents an overly "casual" or provisional expression in my art. With leather this is not possible.