Morta Gudeliauskaitė: “Blissful Waiting / Palaimingas laukimas”

The exhibition “Blissful Waiting / Palaimingas laukimas” explores a psychological state of weightlessness – a time when there is no physical war in our immediate surroundings, yet its presence remains constant in the subconscious. It is a daily split between what is and what is not. Attempts to live an ordinary life – work, time with family and friends, travel – take place against the backdrop of constant anxiety and empathy for those on the front line. This contrast deconstructs reality and turns it surreal.

Prolonged uncertainty and a sense of impending threat trigger defensive mechanisms – our inner animals. Everyone responds to this state of weightlessness individually. The fragmented nature of the works reflects an anticipation of possible change and constant inner anxiety, even as life continues along its usual course.

The exhibition presents 12 paintings created in 2025–2026. During this period, the emotions arising from the war in Ukraine found their way into the works – feelings experienced not only by the artist, but also observed in other people, both those she has known for a long time and those she met only once. Although the idea for the series emerged in 2025, the events of May further strengthened its relevance and resonance with everyone.

Artist’s statement: On creating in a state of weightlessness

“This exhibition is very special to me – it is my first presentation of my paintings to the public. The opportunity to hold my own exhibition has always seemed like a distant, difficult-to-reach dream, so today I am experiencing immense joy. At the same time, I also feel a natural sense of anxiety – after all, showing your work publicly means exposing your deepest inner thoughts to society.

The idea for the exhibition was born from observing myself and my surroundings: that strange, paralysing feeling when you are drinking coffee in a cozy café, while your thoughts are somewhere where worlds are collapsing. Painting became not only a form of self-expression for me, but also a way to manage the constant inner noise, transforming anxiety into something tangible and visual.

Although this first step brings me great joy, I also keep wondering: will the viewer who comes to the exhibition be able to sense this strange state of weightlessness within themselves? Asking myself this question, I set myself a goal – I want a person who sees my work to feel that they are not alone with their subconscious fear or sense of guilt. We are all experiencing the same collective weightlessness.

For me, painting is a language through which I want to share hope. Hope that even in a fractured reality, when everything around us seems meaningless, it is possible to find meaning and preserve our humanity.”

More information about the artist and exhibition here.

The exhibition is located in the basement of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Join us on August 7 at 18:00 for the exhibition opening with the artist!

Admission is free!

Follow the signs or ask the prison team on site.

The exhibition runs from August 7 to October 7.

Opening hours: daily, 12:00–20:00.