The exhibition displays crosses carved by wood sculptor and restorer Algirdas Šalkauskas (b. 1953), which are located in the Kaišiadorys district. Over his life, A. Šalkauskas has produced more than 80 wooden crosses, chapels, monuments and decorative sculptures. In his works, the author takes inspiration from traditional forms and interprets them in his own way, adding personal touches as well as new details. A. Šalkauskas has participated in folk art exhibitions in Lithuania, the USA, Great Britain and Germany. His crafts are not confined to Lithuania alone but have spread all over the world.
Lithuanian Cross-crafting and its symbolism were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. It is a phenomenon in which craft, art and faith meet. Lithuania is unique in its vitality of the Cross-crafting tradition even today, after surviving the harsh times of prohibition, demolition and occupation.
Exhibition „Cross-crafter Algirdas Šalkauskas and his works“ is open from the 1st of May until 30th of September, 2024 in the Rectory barn in the Museum’s Town.
Curators Inga Levickaitė, Lina Jonikė, Justas Rimavičius, Daiva Zubrienė, Rimgaudas Žaltauskas.