Unveiling the Hidden Legacy: Lithuanian Contemporary Art Debuts at Centre Pompidou

For the first time in its storied history, the Centre Pompidou in Paris is showcasing Lithuanian contemporary art in a groundbreaking exhibition co-curated with the MO Museum in Vilnius. Titled Lithuanian Contemporary Art from the 1960s to Today: A Major Donation, the exhibit celebrates Lithuania’s rich and resilient art legacy, spotlighting works that survived decades of Soviet censorship alongside pieces from today’s vibrant Lithuanian art scene.

This exhibition, running from September 14, 2024, to January 6, 2025, presents newly acquired works from the MO Museum’s collection, generously donated by founders Danguolė and Viktoras Butkus. It features modernist pieces created under Soviet rule and previously unseen by international audiences, bringing forth hidden treasures by artists like Marija Teresė Rožanskaitė and Kazimiera Zimblytė, whose radical works have only recently received international recognition. “The international recognition of these remarkable artists is more than an enrichment of European art history—it is a powerful act of cultural reparation,” says MO Museum’s director, Milda Ivanauskienė.

The exhibit bridges Lithuania’s artistic past with its contemporary explorations, spotlighting current artists like Pakui Hardware, Eglė Rakauskaitė, and Žilvinas Landzbergas. Their pieces address pressing themes of identity, memory, and global issues, echoing Lithuania's unique history and its dynamic cultural reawakening post-1990. With the backing of the Lithuanian Season in France 2024, the Centre Pompidou and MO Museum celebrate Lithuania’s restored place in European art history, honoring a narrative of endurance, innovation, and reconnection.