Kaunas Photography Gallery Residency Programme is a project that has been running since 2010 to promote creative exchange and cooperation in the field of photography. This year, the renewed programme hosted 5 renowned European artists and curators, who contributed to new creative and collaborative projects promoting the development of photography culture in Lithuania and abroad. The residency brings together curators, photographers, art critics and historians from Lithuania and abroad, providing a space for the development of new projects and ideas. The programme focuses on the promotion of Lithuanian photography, the creation of valuable projects and the involvement of the local community, thus contributing to the strengthening of international cultural dialogue.
Nestan Nijaradze is a renowned curator, director of the Tbilisi Museum of Photography and Media Art and co-founder of the Tbilisi International Photography Festival. She actively promotes the photographic culture of the Caucasus region, presenting both local talents and international artists. Nijaradze’s work aims to create a platform where traditional and contemporary photography meet, encouraging dialogue on social and cultural issues. Having organised over 10 exhibitions of Lithuanian photography in Sakartveld over the last 15 years, she left with two new ideas on how to continue the cooperation. The projects she curates are characterised by visual diversity and topicality, reinforcing the image of Sakartveli as a centre for photographic art.
Jean Marc Lacabe is a renowned photography curator and art enthusiast, who for many years directed Galerie Château d’Eau in Toulouse, one of the oldest photography galleries in Europe. Lacabe is known for his ability to discover and showcase innovative photographic talent, and the exhibitions he curates cover a wide range of genres from documentary to conceptual photography. His work inspires a dialogue between traditional and contemporary photographic practices, reinforcing the international relevance of this art form. The exhibition developed during the residency was subsequently exhibited at the Royan Centre for Contemporary Art in Southern France.
Vytautas Kumža is a contemporary photographer whose work is characterised by experimental visual solutions and a playful approach to form and space. His work often reveals elements of performativity, using unusual compositions and lens manipulations. Kumža actively participates in international exhibitions, presenting the modernity of Lithuanian photography in a global context. His work encourages viewers to look at everyday objects Kumža shared his path of success in his work with photography postgraduate students and in a public talk, and presented his latest publication, “Hollow”.
Tbel Abuseridze is a talented photographer from Sakartveland whose work is deeply rooted in the culture and history of his native land. His photographs reflect the subtle poetry of everyday life, combined with a sensitivity to the relationship between man and nature. Abuseridze often uses natural lighting and minimalist compositions that capture the intimate and authentic pulse of life in Sakartveld. His work has been exhibited internationally, encouraging viewers to discover the uniqueness of the Caucasus region through a visual storytelling form. Tbel has willingly shared his creative practices at public events, lectures at the VDA KF and KTU photography studios, and with the local photography community.
Alexander Glyadelov is a renowned photographer known for his humanistic approach to documentary photography. His work delves into social issues, conflicts and humanitarian crises, revealing the complexity and vulnerability of human life. Glyadelov’s photographs are emotionally powerful, with authenticity and respect for the subjects.In recent years, he has intensively documented the realities of the war in Ukraine, capturing both the suffering of the people and their moments of resilience and hope.His work has been featured in various international exhibitions and has won numerous awards for its contribution to socially engaged photography. During his residency, the photographer met with local photographers at the Romuva Cinema for the presentation of a documentary film.
Kaunas Photography Gallery residency programme is supported by the Lithuanian Council for Culture.
