From March 5 to 25, the Parko Gallery in Kaunas (M. Valančiaus g. 6) will host a unique exhibition by Lithuanian artist Rūta Jusionytė, featuring her paintings and sculptures under the title The Spirit of the Animal Within. The official opening will take place on March 6 at 5:30 PM. This creative project offers a profound, philosophical exploration of the human-animal connection, inviting viewers to rethink their relationship with nature and themselves.
Photo – courtesy of Rūta Jusionytė ©
An Artist Embracing the Ideas of Antispeciesism
Living in Provence, France, Rūta Jusionytė transcends mere aesthetic representations of animals in her work. She advocates for antispeciesism—a philosophy that challenges the hierarchical classification of life forms and recognizes animals as equal participants in nature. Her artworks reject an anthropocentric perspective, instead portraying a harmonious, empathetic coexistence between all living beings.
Jusionytė pushes beyond traditional artistic boundaries, incorporating myths, symbols, and archetypes to explore these themes. She draws inspiration from historical artworks such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine (1489–1490) and deeper philosophical concepts. In her paintings and sculptures, animals are not just visual elements but metaphors that express universal values: love, responsibility, friendship, and care.
Animals as Mirrors of the Human Soul
“In my work, animals are more than allegories. They serve as mirrors of the human soul, reminding us of our duty to care not only for ourselves but also for the world around us,” says Jusionytė. Her creations depict animals engaging in intimate, emotional relationships with humans, capturing their gaze and posture in ways that evoke deep emotional connections. Through this, she encourages viewers to reflect on their own feelings and their bond with other living beings.
The exhibition also explores the harmony of opposites, symbolized through numbers. According to Jusionytė, the number three represents the balance between body, soul, and spirit, while the number two signifies the inevitable duality between light and shadow, life and death. This numerological structure adds depth and philosophical meaning to her work.
A Discussion on Human-Animal Relationships in Art
Ahead of the exhibition’s opening, on Tuesday, March 4, at 6 PM, Parko Gallery will host a discussion between Rūta Jusionytė and Jungian psychoanalyst Egidija Šeputytė. Their conversation will delve into the intimate and symbolic relationship between humans and animals in art and its significance in contemporary society.
This exhibition is more than a visual experience—it is an invitation to personal reflection and an awareness of our place in nature’s cycle. It serves as a reminder that the world is not structured in hierarchical layers but rather as a delicate, interconnected network where every being—whether human or animal—has its rightful place and voice.
