Meistras Rimantas Idzelis: paraštės laisvė, šešėliai ir šviesa

ENThis article presents the life and work of self-taught wood sculptor Rimantas Idzelis (1949–2013). This year, a travelling exhibition across Lithuanian cities marks the first attempt to showcase his work, including previously unexhibited works from private collections. The article also highlights Idzelis’s prose booklet Cirkumfrakt - a series of short, genre-defying stories that challenge literary conventions and norms of “respectability.” These stories reflect the colourful lives of Idzelis and his friend, fellow self-taught painter Stasys Petrauskas (1950–2010), legendary figures of the Panevėžys bohemian scene. According to art critic Ramutė Rachlevičiūtė, during the Soviet era, Idzelis and Petrauskas lived “as free as the wind - improvising and jazzing not only in their art but in life itself.” Alongside painter Romualdas Petrauskas (1958– 2021), they formed a unique trio of talented outsiders. Despite operating on the fringes of Soviet society, ignoring its rules, they preserved both creative and personal freedom. Many of Idzelis’ most well-known works stand in churches and public spaces. His Stations of the Cross sculptures for the Church of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist in Anykščiai (1982–1988) were officially recognised as protected cultural heritage in 2009. Numerous other works remain in Paberžė, where the young Idzelis, inspired by Father Stanislovas (Algirdas Mykolas Dobrovolskis, 1918–2005), began working with wood. Cultural commentator Nomeda Simėnienė, art historian Dr Ramutė Rachlevičiūtė, as well as photographer Arūnas Baltėnas and self-described vagabond of the world Aurelijus Glosas, who both knew the sculptor personally, all share insights on Idzelis’ artistic journey and enduring legacy.