Julius Ludavičius

(1969)

Biography

Julius Ludavičius was born in Vilnius in 1969. From 1980 to 1987 he studied at National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art. From 1987 to 1993 the artist continued his painting studies at Vilnius Academy of Arts. And finally in 1993-1997 he studied at Hunter College (CUNY City University of New York), where he received a master's degree.

While living in Lithuania Julius Ludavičius participated in various exhibitions and art group activities. From 1989 to 1993 Julius Ludavičius together with other artists Gediminas Urbonas, Aidas Bareikis, Artūras Makštutis, Gintaras Sodeika, Juozas Milašius and Linas Liandsbergis were members of the group “Green Leaf”. This group, formed by young graduates of Vilnius Academy of Arts, was a kind of contraposition to romantic traditionalism which prevailed Lithuanian art. This group focused on installation, performance, action and objects. Though in a few years the group broke up, it had a great influence and led Lithuanian art to conceptualization.

From 1992 to 1993 Julius Ludavičius together with Žilvinas Kempinas, Ieva Martinaitytė - Mediodia, Patricija Jurkšaitytė, Leila Kasputienė, Aidas Bareikis, Gintas Vaičys, Saulius Šumskas, Saulius Mažylis, Giedrė Lilienė, Saulius Kruopis, Artūras Raila and Evaldas Jansas participated in the activities of art group “Good Evils”. In 1993 Julius Ludavičius received a Fulbright grant to study in New York. Since then, the artist lives and works in New York.

Style

In 1990-1992 Julius Ludavičius together with Aidas Bareikis created scenography for performances directed by a famous Lithuanian stage-manager Oskaras Koršunovas. The artists sought to create abstract, but also optically active scenography. However, after arriving to USA Julius Ludavičius focused mainly on painting. Julius Ludavičius described his works: “My paintings are mostly semiabstract. The overall structure is abstract, but details, especially when viewed up close, are realistic, like a second thoughts, doubts, hallucinations, dreams or memories. I have always been interested in non-traditional canvas formats. Most of my works are like that - strange, irregular shapes, sometimes with holes and stones.” His works are in private collections in New York, Los Angeles and Lithuania.