Onė Austėja Maldonytė's 'Desiccating' at Editorial, Vilnius

Onė Austėja Maldonytė's exhibition titled 'Desiccating' at the Editorial gallery in Vilnius showcases a sculptural installation that combines ceramics, organic materials, and metal frameworks, forming an ecosystem focused on processes like drying, evaporation, and drainage. The pieces draw inspiration from industrial deep-water reservoir extraction, particularly in lithium mining, where water is extracted, mineralized, and then reintroduced. The ceramic sculptures, crafted using an open-air firing method, are treated with gelatine that slowly melts and evaporates throughout the exhibition. Positioned on custom metal grates, these organic shapes engage with industrial drainage elements. Born in 1995, Maldonytė earned her BA from Vilnius Academy of Art (2018) and her MA from Oslo National Academy of the Arts (2022). Her past solo exhibitions include 'Inserted' at Aukštaitijos Vandenys water reservoir, Panevėžys (2024), and 'Virtuoti' at Akademija gallery, Vilnius (2023). The exhibition receives backing from the Lithuanian Council for Culture, Norwegian Crafts, and Arts and Culture Norway.