Robertas Narkus Lithuanian, b. 1983
Robertas Narkus (b. 1983, Lithuania) is an interdisciplinary artist, he graduated from the Vilnius Academy of Arts with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in photography and media art. The artist later continued his studies at the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam. Narkus is an initiator and a host of experimental arts management and food organization “Autarkia”, founder of Vilnius institute of Pataphysics, experimental engineering camp “eeKūlgrinda” and platform for artists and private business cooperation “Vizionierius”.
Robertas Narkus describes his art practice as contingency management in changing economic circumstances. By hyperbolizing and lightly ironizing the existing nebulous neoliberal world systems of power, entangled by other mechanisms as well, and often generously using the tools they offer, Narkus creates his own unique new order. Leveraging existing systems of societal functioning, he uses them as strategies aimed at creating an aesthetic, relational, or performative product. His creative work can be understood as independent art objects, different media projects, or as a social sculpture as a whole. Narkus is an exceptional artist working with different genres and forms, and such hybridity and systematicity make his work uniquely linked to the systems in which it operates - the art world, the art market, and society itself.
Robertas Narkus’s solo exhibitions have been held at the Contemporary Art Centre in Vilnius, the David Dale Gallery in Glasgow, and the Tenderpixel art gallery in London. His works have also been presented in important group projects at the 12th Baltic Triennial, the 5th Marrakech Biennale, de Appel arts center in Amsterdam, and others. He represented Lithuania at the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art in 2022 with the project “Gut Feeling”.
![Robertas Narkus, L]z:`ed from the series "The Board", 2020](https://artlogic-res.cloudinary.com/w_740,c_limit,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/artlogicstorage/vartai/images/view/ef9d3a75a3a7db27158be91def9a4c11j/galerijavartai-robertas-narkus-l-z-ed-from-the-series-the-board-2020.jpg)
Born 1983 in Vilnius, Lithuania
Lives and works in Vilnius, Lithuania
EDUCATION/RESIDENCIES
2021 – MMCA Seoul at National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (South Korea)
2020 – Nida art colony (Lithuania)
2018 – Foundation for Art and Creative Technology (United Kingdom)
2018 – Delfina Foundation Residency (United Kingdom)
2016 – Skaftel Art Center residency (Greece)
2014 – Performing Art Forum (France)
2013-2015 – Sandberg institute, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
2012 – Rupert project-based para-academic educational program (Lithuania)
2012 – Bregenz Kunsthaus residency program (Austria)
2010 – MA Photography and Media Art, Vilnius Academy of Arts (Lithuania)
2006 – BA Photography and Media Art, Vilnius Academy of Arts (Lithuania)
2004 – Exchange program at Turku Academy of arts (Finland)
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022 – Gut Feeling, Lithuanian pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art in 2022.
2020 – Valdyba/The Board, VARTAI Gallery, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2019 – Prospect Revenge, David Dale gallery, Glasgow (Scotland)
2019 – Sphynx, Editorial project space, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2017 – Träger, Contemporary Art Center, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2017 – Guest, KIM?, Riga (Latvia)
2016 – Doghme, Neverland gallery, Amsterdam, (The Netherlands)
2015 – Easy CUTZ, Juliette Jongma gallery, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
2014 – Turbulence-3, Tenderpixel gallery, London (United Kingdom)
2012 – Red Herring / Lithuanian Art 2012, Contemporary Art Center, Vilnius (Lithuania)
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 - The Board, Eastcontemporary, Milan (Italy)
2020 - The Board, Galerija Vartai, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2019 – XVII a., Autarkia, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2019 – I had amnesia once or twice, Polansky gallery, Prague (Czech Republic)
2018 – Waiting for Another Coming, Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw (Poland)
2018 – How can large mountains enter small ice, Delfina foundation, London (United Kingdom)
2018 – Artist film international (video screenings), Whitechapel gallery, London (United Kingdom), ‘Ballroom Marfa’ (USA)
2018 – Future is certain it’s the past which is unpredictable, Blaffer museum, Houston (USA)
2017 – Climbing Invisible Structures/Lipti nematomomis struktūromis, Akershus art center, Lillestrøm (Norway)
2016 – Žilvitis, Gallery VARTAI, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2016 – The Economy is Spinning, Unfold online platform
2015 – XII Baltic Triennial, Contemporary Art Center, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2015 – Spell to Spelling - Spelling to Spell, de Apple Art center, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
2015 – A Day in a Life of Thomas, Stedeljik Museum, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
2015 – Making sense, Juliette Jongma Gallery, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
2015 – Vienna Contemporary 2015, Vienna (Austria)
2015 – Artissima 2015, Torino (Italy)
2014 – Exlibris for a library not yet began, Podium (Oslo)
2014 – a Cab, Kunsthalle Athena, Athens (Greece)
2014 – Elusive Earths, Etablissement d' En Face Projects, Brussels (Belgium)
2014 – WeberWoche, Stroom Den Haag art center, Hague (The Netherlands)
2014 – Unanswered Q, Contemporary Art Center, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2014 – Father can’t You See I’m Burning?, De Appel Art Center, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
2014 – Porn for the Blind, Juliette Jongma Gallery, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
2014 – Marrakech biennale 5th edition, Half Hotel, Marrakech (Morocco)
2013 – ANNE, Contemporary Art Center, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2013 – FAST FLUX, Studio - X, New York (USA)
2013 – Part of the bigger whole, Twelve star gallery, London (United Kingdom)
2013 – Usue Arieta & Vicente Vazquez, Lisi-Humerlee gallery, Bregenz (Austria)
2012 – Generation of the the Place: Image, Memory and Fiction, Tallinn Kunsthalle, Tallinn (Estonia)
2011 – Spheres of Power/ tension and exchange, GlogauAIR, Berlin (Germany)
2010 – Moscow Biennale for Young Art, MMOMA, Moscow (Russia)
2010 – Illusion of inclusion, VARTAI Gallery, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2008 – Young Lithuanian art gallery, Cite Internationale des Arts, Paris (France)
2008 – Lithuanian Art ’08: Photography, Contemporary Art Center, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2008 – Made in China, International festival of photography, Lodz (Poland)
2008 – Media arts festival ENTER, Vilnius (Lithuania)
2008 – Down to the rabbit’s hole. Meeting the familiar, Rael Artel gallery, Tartu (Estonia)
2007 – Ciurlionis 2024, Contemporary Art Centre, Vilnius (Lithuania)
COLLECTIONS
Lewben Art Foundation, Vilnius, Lithuania
Kiasma museum collection
Private collections
AWARDS
2014 – ‘Young Artist Award’ from Ministry of Culture of Lithuania
2013 – State Scholarship for the artist by Ministry of Culture of Lithuania
2010 – Vilnius City Mayor award for emerging artists
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Spectrum 2
Summer Group Show 2 Jun - 30 Oct 2024Artists and designers featured in the group show SPECTRUM 2: Gytis Arošius / Kotryna Butautytė / Daydreaming Objects / Vilius Dringelis / Kiki van Eijk / Faktura / Govert Flint...Read more -
Robertas Narkus
Full Moon 14 Sep - 28 Oct 2023We are thrilled to announce that on September 14th, the VARTAI Gallery will present the solo exhibition 'Full Moon' by Roberts Narkus. “This exhibition was supposed to be called Torso...Read more -
STAND WITH UKRAINE
Auction exhibition 26 Apr - 31 May 2022Photos by Audrius SolominasRead more -
L’ÉTREINTE - EMBRACEMENT – GLAMONĖ
Group exhibition dedicated to the centenary of the birth of the famous Lithuanian modernist Antanas Mončys. 9 Sep - 5 Nov 2021Opening on 9 Septembe, 2021 at 6 PM 9 September – 5 November, 2021 Curators: Linas Bliškevičius and Yates Norton. Artists: Antanas Mončys and Arturas Bumšteinas, Viltė Bražiūnaitė & Tomas...Read more -
Robertas Narkus
The Board 10 Sep - 9 Oct 2020Robertas Narkus‘s solo exhibition “The Board” Curator Neringa Bumblienė 2020 09 10 – 2020 10 09 Robertas Narkus’s exhibition The Board presents the outcome of the artist’s creative processes throughout...Read more -
Summer Exposition
Group exhibition 18 Jul - 31 Aug 2017Our gallery’s spaces have once again been filled with new works. We invite you to be our guest and join us on Tuesday at 6:00 pm to look around our...Read more -
Group show Žilvitis (Willow)
25th Vartai gallery anniversary marking exhibition 19 Feb - 9 Apr 2016From its very establishment in 1991, Galerija Vartai has been a prominent cultural centre, attracting a wide and diverse following both within and outside Lithuania. In addition to exhibitions of...Read more -
Illusion of Inclusion
Exhibition by artists from Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia 21 Apr - 28 May 2010Užbaigusi Europos kultūros sostinių šiuolaikinius menininkus pristačiusį projektą „ARTscape“ , galerija „Vartai“ imasi pristatyti trijų Baltijos šalių menininkus – trečiadienį, balandžio 21 d., 18 val. joje atidaroma paroda „ILLUSION OF...Read more
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Hotel Warszawa Art Fair 2023
Representing Donata Minderytė, Robertas Narkus and Vita Zaman 8 - 10 Sep 2023We are delighted to announce that we have received an invitation to participate in the 'Hotel Warszawa Art Fair', scheduled to take place from September...Read more -
Art Cologne 2022
Representing Robertas Narkus and Dominykas Sidorovas 16 - 20 Nov 2022Galerija VARTAI at Art Cologne - Hall: 11.2 / Stand: A 300 16 - 20 November 2022 Represented artists: Robertas Narkus and Dominykas Sidorovas. Robertas...Read more -
Art Cologne 2021
Representing Gabrielė Adomaitytė and Robertas Narkus 17 - 21 Nov 2021VISIT 3D VIRTUAL TOUR Galerija VARTAI at Art Cologne - Hall: 11.2 / Stand: D 41 17 - 21 November 2021 Represented artists: Gabrielė Adomaitytė...Read more -
Artissima 2015
Turin, Italy 6 - 8 Nov 2015Presented artists: Žilvinas Kempinas Robertas NArkus VYTAUTAS VIRŽBICKAS Andrius ZakarauskasRead more -
viennacontemporary 2015
Vienna, Austria 24 - 27 Sep 2015Presented artists: S&P STANIKAS VYTAUTAS VIRŽBICKAS LILLI THIESEN ANDRIUS ZAKARAUSKAS RŪTENĖ MERKLIOPAITĖ IGNAS KRUNGLEVIČIUS JULIJONAS URBONAS ROBERTAS NARKUSRead more
PUBLICATIONS
2019 - Robertas Narkus, eeK 2014-2018: Eksperimentinės inžinerijos stovykla eeKūlgrinda, Kaunas: Six Chair books, 2019
BOOKS/CATALOGUES
2019 - After Leaving | Before Arriving, catalogue, ed.: Kotryna Žemaitytė, Kaunas: VšĮ Kauno bienalė, 2019
2018 - Linas Bliškevičius, "Robertas Narkus", in: VAA interview: art school, ed.: Jogintė Bučinskaitė, Vilnius: Vilniaus dailės akademijos leidykla, 2018
2017 - The Economy is Spinning, catalogue, ed.: Kris Dittel, Onomatopee, 2017
2015 - Unanswered Q, catalogue, Vilnius: Šiuolaikinio meno centras, 2015
2014 - WeberWoche, catalogue, The Netherlands: Stroom Den Haag, 2014
2013 - Lights on: gidas į šiuolaikinę Lietuvos jaunųjų fotografiją, ed.: Eglė Detuvaitė, Vilnius: Lietuvos fotomenininkų sąjunga, 2013
2011 - Generation of the Place: Image, Memory and Fiction in the Baltics, ed.: Vytautas Michelkevičius, catalogue, Vilnius: VšĮ Mene, 2011
ARTICLES/INTERVIEWS
2020 - Linas Bliškevičius, "An Interview with Robertas Narkus", in: Echo Gone Wrong, 2020-10-21
2020 - Linas Bliškevičius, "Revzionierius", in: 7md.lt, 2020-09-18
2020 - Linas Bliškevičius, "τὰ ἐπὶ τὰ μεταφυσικά (I dalis)", in: artnews.lt, 2020-12-17
2020 - Tautvydas Urbelis, "Robertas Narkus - aš esu optimistas, regiu naują jautresnį žmogų", in: 15min.lt, 2020-08-12
2019 - Mimi Chu, "The New Wave of Anti-Authority Performing Artists", in: Frieze, 2019-09-22
2017 - Elvia Wilk, "Postcards from Vilnius & Riga", in: Frieze, 2017-03-23,
2017 - Jolanta Marcišauskytė-Jurašienė, "Šundaktarystė kaip strategija", in: 7md.lt, 2017-05-19,
2015 - Zane Ozola, "The Coincidences of Robertas Narkus", in: arterritory.com, 2015-09-25
2015 - Gerda Paliušytė, "Nuotykis, nuotėkis. Pokalbis su Robertu Narkumi", in: artnews.lt, 2015-05-03
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Vilnius Gallery Weekend 2024
5 September - 8 September, 2024 August 20, 2024On the 5-8th of September, the 9th edition of Vilnius Gallery Weekend (VGW) invites residents and guests of Vilnius to get to know the contemporary...Read more -
Art After Hours | Galerija VARTAI
4 OCTOBER June 30, 2024On October 4th (Friday), we invite you to Art After Hours – a gallery festival for night owls. Galerija VARTAI presents the exhibition 'SPECTRUM 2':...Read more -
Offshore Eyes by Robertas Narkus And Vytautas Gečas
At Tech Zity Vilnius, Panerių g. 43 June 13, 2023It is a gratifying moment when the artists we represent collaborate and present great projects that expand the field beyond visual art. Last year, intending...Read more -
Robertas Narkus – 'The Board' at Eastcontemporary
2023.03.15 – 04.11 Milan March 27, 2023Galerija VARTAI is delighted to share Robertas Narkus' 'The Board' travelling around the globe! Robertas Narkus exhibition ‘The Board’ presents an installation of human-sized photographs...Read more -
Robertas Narkus – Dopamine Eyes
2023.2.1 – 3.11 SEOUL February 6, 2023Robertas Narkus (b.1983, Lithuania), an artist of the Lithuanian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and an internationally acclaimed complex artist, received his bachelor's and master's...Read more -
The Homecoming of Gut Feeling by Robertas Narkus
at Lewben Art Foundation Dec 15, 2022Robertas Narkus, Gut Feeling, Lithuanian pavilion at the 59th Venice BiennaleRead more -
Growing Out? Growing Up? Contemporary Art Collecting in the Baltics
Group exhibition at Zuzeum Art Centre in Riga June 15, 2022“Growing Out? Growing Up? Contemporary Art Collecting in the Baltics” exhibition at Zuzeum Art Centre in Riga introduces vibrant contemporary art collections in the Baltics...Read more -
Charity auction Stand With Ukraine
May 2, 2022On May 5, Galerija Vartai and National volunteer support coordination center 'Strong Together' will hold a charity auction of contemporary art and design - STAND...Read more -
Robertas Narkus and Julijonas Urbonas at Art Encounters 2021
Contemporary Art Biennial at Romania 1.10 - 7.11.2021 September 30, 2021We are pleased to announce that Robert Narkus and Julijonas Urbonas are participating in Art Encounters Biennial in Romania! Art Encounters creates a dynamic space...Read more -
Interview with Robertas Narkus
on abstract stylist February 17, 2021Artist Robertas Narkus: I Love Creating Conflicts 'It's not like you could put Robertas Narkus creative work into one discipline or strategy – yes, there...Read more -
Robertas Narkus: Gut Feeling
Lithuanian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale November 25, 2020Lithuanian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale Campo de le Gate Castello 3200 and 3206 30122 Venice Italy Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11am–7pm April 23–November 27, 2022 Vernissage:...Read more -
Interview with Robertas Narkus
on artnews.lt September 29, 2020 Read more
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ART COLOGNE 2021 TALKS - ROBERTAS NARKUS
"How to push through (new ideas), when no one needs them?" December 16, 2021'How to push through (new ideas), when no one needs them?' Performance of Robertas Narkus, artist, Lithuania Following: artist talk moderated by Neringa Bumblienė, curator...Read more -
IGTV: Vartai UNLOCKED with Robertas Narkus
Gallery VARTAI presents new IGTV series of artists and collectors' interviews, studio visits and special edition videos November 13, 2020Latest reportage from the series 'Unlocked' in which Gallery VARTAI visits the studio of artist Robertas Narkus. With Robertas we talked about how full moon...Read more
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Vilnius Gallery Weekend 2024
5 September - 8 September, 2024 Aug 20, 2024On the 5-8th of September, the 9th edition of Vilnius Gallery Weekend (VGW) invites residents and guests of Vilnius to get to know the contemporary...Read more -
Art After Hours | Galerija VARTAI
4 OCTOBER Jun 30, 2024On October 4th (Friday), we invite you to Art After Hours – a gallery festival for night owls. Galerija VARTAI presents the exhibition 'SPECTRUM 2':...Read more -
Spectrum 2
Summer Group Show 2 Jun - 30 Oct 2024Artists and designers featured in the group show SPECTRUM 2: Gytis Arošius / Kotryna Butautytė / Daydreaming Objects / Vilius Dringelis / Kiki van Eijk...Read more -
Robertas Narkus
Full Moon 14 Sep - 28 Oct 2023We are thrilled to announce that on September 14th, the VARTAI Gallery will present the solo exhibition 'Full Moon' by Roberts Narkus. “This exhibition was...Read more -
Hotel Warszawa Art Fair 2023
Representing Donata Minderytė, Robertas Narkus and Vita Zaman 8 - 10 Sep 2023We are delighted to announce that we have received an invitation to participate in the 'Hotel Warszawa Art Fair', scheduled to take place from September...Read more -
Offshore Eyes by Robertas Narkus And Vytautas Gečas
At Tech Zity Vilnius, Panerių g. 43 Jun 13, 2023It is a gratifying moment when the artists we represent collaborate and present great projects that expand the field beyond visual art. Last year, intending...Read more -
Robertas Narkus – 'The Board' at Eastcontemporary
2023.03.15 – 04.11 Milan Mar 27, 2023Galerija VARTAI is delighted to share Robertas Narkus' 'The Board' travelling around the globe! Robertas Narkus exhibition ‘The Board’ presents an installation of human-sized photographs...Read more -
Robertas Narkus – Dopamine Eyes
2023.2.1 – 3.11 SEOUL Feb 6, 2023Robertas Narkus (b.1983, Lithuania), an artist of the Lithuanian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and an internationally acclaimed complex artist, received his bachelor's and master's...Read more -
The Homecoming of Gut Feeling by Robertas Narkus
at Lewben Art Foundation Dec 15, 2022Robertas Narkus, Gut Feeling, Lithuanian pavilion at the 59th Venice BiennaleRead more -
Art Cologne 2022
Representing Robertas Narkus and Dominykas Sidorovas 16 - 20 Nov 2022Galerija VARTAI at Art Cologne - Hall: 11.2 / Stand: A 300 16 - 20 November 2022 Represented artists: Robertas Narkus and Dominykas Sidorovas. Robertas...Read more -
Growing Out? Growing Up? Contemporary Art Collecting in the Baltics
Group exhibition at Zuzeum Art Centre in Riga Jun 15, 2022“Growing Out? Growing Up? Contemporary Art Collecting in the Baltics” exhibition at Zuzeum Art Centre in Riga introduces vibrant contemporary art collections in the Baltics...Read more -
Charity auction Stand With Ukraine
May 2, 2022On May 5, Galerija Vartai and National volunteer support coordination center 'Strong Together' will hold a charity auction of contemporary art and design - STAND...Read more -
ART COLOGNE 2021 TALKS - ROBERTAS NARKUS
"How to push through (new ideas), when no one needs them?" Dec 16, 2021'How to push through (new ideas), when no one needs them?' Performance of Robertas Narkus, artist, Lithuania Following: artist talk moderated by Neringa Bumblienė, curator...Read more -
Art Cologne 2021
Representing Gabrielė Adomaitytė and Robertas Narkus 17 - 21 Nov 2021VISIT 3D VIRTUAL TOUR Galerija VARTAI at Art Cologne - Hall: 11.2 / Stand: D 41 17 - 21 November 2021 Represented artists: Gabrielė Adomaitytė...Read more -
Robertas Narkus and Julijonas Urbonas at Art Encounters 2021
Contemporary Art Biennial at Romania 1.10 - 7.11.2021 Sep 30, 2021We are pleased to announce that Robert Narkus and Julijonas Urbonas are participating in Art Encounters Biennial in Romania! Art Encounters creates a dynamic space...Read more -
L’ÉTREINTE - EMBRACEMENT – GLAMONĖ
Group exhibition dedicated to the centenary of the birth of the famous Lithuanian modernist Antanas Mončys. 9 Sep - 5 Nov 2021Opening on 9 Septembe, 2021 at 6 PM 9 September – 5 November, 2021 Curators: Linas Bliškevičius and Yates Norton. Artists: Antanas Mončys and Arturas...Read more -
Interview with Robertas Narkus
on abstract stylist Feb 17, 2021Artist Robertas Narkus: I Love Creating Conflicts 'It's not like you could put Robertas Narkus creative work into one discipline or strategy – yes, there...Read more -
Robertas Narkus: Gut Feeling
Lithuanian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale Nov 25, 2020Lithuanian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale Campo de le Gate Castello 3200 and 3206 30122 Venice Italy Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11am–7pm April 23–November 27, 2022 Vernissage:...Read more -
IGTV: Vartai UNLOCKED with Robertas Narkus
Gallery VARTAI presents new IGTV series of artists and collectors' interviews, studio visits and special edition videos Nov 13, 2020Latest reportage from the series 'Unlocked' in which Gallery VARTAI visits the studio of artist Robertas Narkus. With Robertas we talked about how full moon...Read more -
Interview with Robertas Narkus
on artnews.lt Sep 29, 2020Read more -
Artissima 2015
Turin, Italy 6 - 8 Nov 2015Presented artists: Žilvinas Kempinas Robertas NArkus VYTAUTAS VIRŽBICKAS Andrius ZakarauskasRead more -
viennacontemporary 2015
Vienna, Austria 24 - 27 Sep 2015Presented artists: S&P STANIKAS VYTAUTAS VIRŽBICKAS LILLI THIESEN ANDRIUS ZAKARAUSKAS RŪTENĖ MERKLIOPAITĖ IGNAS KRUNGLEVIČIUS JULIJONAS URBONAS ROBERTAS NARKUSRead more
