Lithuanian artist Arūnas Vilkevičius has taken out the Best in Show Prize at the inaugural Giant Miniature Art Exhibition conducted by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria). Not much bigger than a postage stamp, his ethereal watercolour painting titled Glance depicts a close up of a seemingly young face looking upward at something that has clearly caught their eye. For his efforts, Arūnas will receive a cash prize and, quite appropriately, a miniature size plaque acknowledging his win.
Held at the historic National Trust property Como House in South Yarra, as part of the Doll House: Miniature Worlds of Wonder Exhibition, the art exhibition attracted over 300 entries from more than 80 artists around the world. Works could be submitted in any medium, including watercolour, oils, pastel, charcoal and pencil, but the primary criteria was that the size had to be 25mm x 38mm.
The judging panel, which included television presenter Catriona Rowntree and patron of the arts Gordon Moffatt AM, was particularly impressed with the delicate and sensitive nature of Arūnas’ work and his minute attention to detail.
A furniture and watercolour artist who lives in Vilnius (Lithuania), Arūnas has never studied art and is entirely self-taught. He says “this is the smallest portrait I have ever done in my career.”
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions which seriously impacted Melbourne’s galleries and museums during 2021, the exhibition was closed for much of the planned exhibition period. When able to open, attendances were lower than expected. Consequently, for those that missed this unique art exhibition, the National Trust has captured the entire exhibition in a 320-page full-colour book Small Wonders.
The book is readily available at National Trust properties such as Rippon Lea Estate, Como House & Garden, Vault at Block Arcade or online here. The book price is $14.95.
