From May 7 to 24, Prospektas Gallery (Gedimino Ave. 43, Vilnius) will host a solo exhibition by Ričardas Dailidė titled Photography. The exhibition opening will take place on May 9 at 5:30 PM.
The show presents Dailidė’s reportage photography from the 1970s to the 1990s, reflecting the artist’s pursuit of authentic everyday moments in various corners of the world. His work is grounded in direct observation and documentation of real events, deliberately avoiding artistic staging or constructed scenes. Visitors will encounter photographs taken in Dagestan, Cuba, and Lithuania—each image telling its own story, from glimpses of local life to signs of broader social changes.
Dailidė’s images capture both simple moments of daily life and significant shifts that signal societal transformations. Despite their wide geographical scope, the works are unified by a sincere interest in people and their surroundings, as well as a commitment to conveying life as it is—without embellishment or excessive artistic intervention. Dailidė’s photography has been exhibited and awarded not only in Lithuania but also in Europe, the United States, Brazil, and Cuba, receiving multiple international accolades. One of the highlights of his career was participating in the 2011 Venice Biennale as part of the Lithuanian Pavilion, alongside other Lithuanian artists—an event that significantly expanded the international visibility of his work.
The exhibition Photography highlights the significance of Dailidė’s documentary style, inviting viewers to reflect on the role of photography in preserving living testimonies of societal shifts. His ability to observe the everyday transforms his work into more than just a visual archive—it becomes a living narrative of a constantly shifting era.
ABOUT THE ARTISTPhotographic artist Ričardas Dailidė, based in Šiauliai, is widely known both as a dedicated creative and as an active civic figure. Although he initially explored the performing arts, he ultimately committed himself to photography—a medium he remains faithful to.
Although photography was not his primary profession, Dailidė devoted his free time to the craft, and over more than five decades of creative activity, he produced numerous memorable photo series: Time Walks Through the City, Shrovetide in Kurtuvėnai, The Lost Labyrinths of Time, The Chronicle of Lithuania’s Rebirth, Colleagues, Life in Jazz, A Window to Cuba, among others. He has held dozens of solo exhibitions and participated in many group shows in Lithuania and abroad.
Dailidė has received over 30 awards in exhibitions and competitions, including Photographed by Doctors (Belarus, 1980), Lens and Life(Russia, 1984), and Colleagues (Šiauliai, 1986). In 2011, he was among the artists featured in the Lithuanian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale as part of Darius Mikšys’ project Behind the White Curtain.
His work has been published in Lithuanian photography yearbooks, chronicles, albums, and monographs, including Hill of Crosses (1993) and In the Labyrinths of Time (2007). Dailidė has also authored reviews, interviews, and essays on photography. He has been a member of the Lithuanian Photographers Association since 1973 and served on its board for many years.
In 2002, Dailidė was named Photographer of the Year in Šiauliai. For his lifelong creative contribution, solo exhibitions, and promotion of photography, he received the Šiauliai City Culture and Arts Awards (2002, 2007, 2017). In recognition of his contribution to the field of photography, he was awarded the Šiauliai County Governor’s Honor Badge in 2007.
Curator of the exhibition: Valentyn Odnoviun
Organized in collaboration with: Šiauliai Photography Museum
The exhibition features works by Ričardas Dailidė from the division of Šiauliai Aušra Museum – The Photography Museum, the collections of the Lithuanian Photographers Association, and the artist’s personal archive.
The activities of the Lithuanian Photographers Association are funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture.
Prospektas Gallery opening hours:
Tue–Fri: 12:00–18:00
Sat: 12:00–16:00