Aspazija. Ethnomodernism

A draft of modernism blew through Lithuanian art during the 1960s Soviet ‘thaw’ period. It was then that the young graphic artist Aspazija Surgailienė (1928–2011), who combined modern form with folklore, emerged. Today, when the heritage of Soviet modernism is being rediscovered, the ethnomodernism of the forgotten classic of Lithuanian graphic art Aspazija Surgailienė sounds fresh and relevant.

This is the first publication dedicated to the artist’s work. The monograph Aspazija. Ethnomodernism presents the artist’s multifaceted work as a creative biography: illustrations, illustrated books, engraving series, pop art compositions, and stained glass and quilts created during the years of Independent Lithuania. The text by art researcher Laima Laučkaitė opens up to the public the little-known environment, creative conditions, and cultural context of a Soviet-era female artist. Surgailienė’s portrait is complemented by reminiscences of her friends and acquaintances, as well as eloquent documentary photographs. A comprehensive catalogue of her works is included.