Sculpture :
Location : Thornton Park, Vancouver
Media : Stainless steel
The Lithuanian sculptor Vladas Vildžiunas original concept for this figurative sculpture was a lady walking in a park in solitude with breezes adding movement to her garments. In 1972, the model this sculpture was based on acquired the name Barbora, a significant figure in Lithuanian history.
An important year in the struggle for Lithuanian autonomy, it was in 1972 that the self burning of a young man protesting the soviet-occupation was followed by spontaneous public demonstrations. At the same time rehearsals of a play based on the medieval love story of Žygimantas Augustas the King of the independent state of Lithuania and Poland, to a beautiful noble widow Barbora Radvilaite (crowned queen and later poisoned by her mother-in-law) was taking place. Due to the play's hidden patriotic meaning, it was soon banned. The plays director had to seek refuge, which he did in the home of Vladas Vildžiunas. When the actress playing the role of Barbora in the play came to the garden in her theatre costume, everyone noticed her striking similarity to the sculpture, which then acquired the name Barbora. After 10 years, a similar sculpture was installed in Vilnius, still it was forbidden to be called Barbora until Lithuania again became an independent nation. In 1997 the original plaster model "Barbora" was made into this large stainless steel sculpture by Vladas' son Kunotas.
Vladas Vildžiunas, named Honoured Artist of Lithuania in 1982, has created some of the most influential and important monumental works in Eastern Europe with his work exhibited in many major cities in North America and Europe. The inclusion of this work in the Vancouver Biennale represents his Canadian debut.
For more information visit the artwork page on www.vblearn.ca
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Barbora
Artist :Vladas Vildžiunas
LithuaniaLocation : Thornton Park, Vancouver
Media : Stainless steel
The Lithuanian sculptor Vladas Vildžiunas original concept for this figurative sculpture was a lady walking in a park in solitude with breezes adding movement to her garments. In 1972, the model this sculpture was based on acquired the name Barbora, a significant figure in Lithuanian history.
An important year in the struggle for Lithuanian autonomy, it was in 1972 that the self burning of a young man protesting the soviet-occupation was followed by spontaneous public demonstrations. At the same time rehearsals of a play based on the medieval love story of Žygimantas Augustas the King of the independent state of Lithuania and Poland, to a beautiful noble widow Barbora Radvilaite (crowned queen and later poisoned by her mother-in-law) was taking place. Due to the play's hidden patriotic meaning, it was soon banned. The plays director had to seek refuge, which he did in the home of Vladas Vildžiunas. When the actress playing the role of Barbora in the play came to the garden in her theatre costume, everyone noticed her striking similarity to the sculpture, which then acquired the name Barbora. After 10 years, a similar sculpture was installed in Vilnius, still it was forbidden to be called Barbora until Lithuania again became an independent nation. In 1997 the original plaster model "Barbora" was made into this large stainless steel sculpture by Vladas' son Kunotas.
Vladas Vildžiunas, named Honoured Artist of Lithuania in 1982, has created some of the most influential and important monumental works in Eastern Europe with his work exhibited in many major cities in North America and Europe. The inclusion of this work in the Vancouver Biennale represents his Canadian debut.
For more information visit the artwork page on www.vblearn.ca
prev | back | next
