Žilvinas Kempinas

(1969)

Biography

Žilvinas Kempinas was born in 1969 in Plungė. He is currently living and working in New York City. He completed an MFA at Hunter College, City University of New York, in 2002, and received a BFA from Vilnius Academy of Art, Lithuania, in 1993. Žilvinas Kempinas is represented in New York and Parisby Yvon Lambert Gallery, in Vilnius by Vartai Gallery, and in Brazil by Galeria Leme.
Žilvinas Kempinas' first New York shows took place at PS1 Contemporary Art Center in 2003 and Spencer Brownstone Gallery in 2004. The artist has earned international acclaim since his entire second show at Spencer Brownstone – Columns and Bike Messenger – was purchased by The Margulies Collection in 2006 and exhibited during Art Basel Miami Beach that same year. In 2007, Žilvinas Kempinas was featured by Art Review Magazine as one of its 'Future Greats'. In the same year, he was awarded the Calder Prize and a residency at Atelier Calder in Saché, France. In 2008, the artist showed at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and, in 2009, in a solo show at the Kunsthalle, Vienna. In 2009, Žilvinas Kempinas represented Lithuania at the Venice Biennale 53rd International Art Exhibition in Venice, Italy.

Style

Žilvinas Kempinas employs non-traditional materials to create active and dynamic exhibits, most commonly as installations. In many of his works, Žilvinas Kempinas utilizes his signature material, unwound magnetic tape. The use of the tape affects the viewer through various senses; visually, aurally and physically.
Žilvinas Kempinas uses the simplest of means to create complex and atmospheric room situations of great beauty. His installations play with air and lightness – the reliefs based on time and chance.