Artist Statement

Exploring Motherhood, Power, and Identity in Ceramics

In my ceramics work, I explore the complexities of motherhood, power, and identity, weaving my experiences as a woman and a mother into every piece I create. Each of these themes informs my art in distinct ways, guiding my hands as I shape the clay and leave my mark on the world.

Taking Up Space
As a mother, I understand the sense of shrinking—the perception of one's value diminishing as one's world narrows to the domestic sphere, with family and children at the center. This experience has instilled in me a strong desire to expand, to take up space, and to create large, bold pieces. The series of my oversized ceramics challenge the convenience of others, reclaiming the space that mothers often relinquish in their daily lives.

Power
The truth is that mothers and women hold immense power and play a significant role in influencing the world around them. I often use other women's artworks to create the texture of my ceramics pieces in order to represent the imprints we leave on our children, culture, and society. By transferring the impressions of my own mother's hand crocheted doily onto clay, I celebrate the enduring strength of women's work and the profound impact it has on shaping the future.

Identity
I am from from Lithuania, a small country with a rich heritage and a unique language passed down through generations. My roots carry the burden of preserving these symbols in the face of external threats, especially with the ongoing war in Ukraine. In my ceramics, I infuse Baltic and Lithuanian ethnographic symbols, honoring my heritage while asserting my identity. The war has heightened my sense of responsibility to maintain these connections, ensuring that our distinct culture endures despite adversity.