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A.Šileika’s carvings (spindles, towels and other wooden products) travel to various exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad. The carver has received many awards. His works are certified as national heritage, and he himself is recognized as a master of traditional crafts.
On the occasion of the centenary of the restoration of the Lithuanian state, A. Šileika participated in the Living Popular Art Fair in Lemonte (USA) at the invitation of the Lithuanian community, and also visited Chicago, Los Angeles and Florida, where more than 1,000 people participated in shelter classes. Almost all of his works were looted, many of which the author donated to charities.
Today, it is probably rare that we see a shelter, we hardly notice it in the museum. A spindle is a table on a rotating wheel to which a lock of flax or wool fibers is attached or attached. Our ancestors decorated the shelters with intricate carvings and it was believed that they would bring good luck and happiness to their homes.
The popular artist also conducts many educational activities for children and adults in Lithuania, and is a member of the Utena Craft Club Svirnas. He tries to nurture and transmit Lithuanian traditions in various ways, because he is convinced that the future of Lithuania will depend only on our contribution. Albinas opens up: if she ever wins a cultural prize, she will donate this money to a book on the traditions of Lithuanian writing, which she transmits in her work.
In addition, the man feels that he also has to pay tribute to the public. He participates in the activities of various organizations, volunteers at the Food Bank, and has assumed the position of president of the gardening community. “I was raised by society. I feel grateful and indebted to her for that, so now I try to help her when I have those opportunities,” she said. 15min LIFE interlocutor.
– You spend most of the day as a guardian of the law. It seems to have nothing to do with art, so the natural question arises: how do these two different activities combine?
– Yes, I am a specialist in the protocol department of the Utena County Chief Police Commissariat, in short, a vigilante. I do not patrol the street, but I control the information, that is, and. Reports on events, and distributed the forces of the police stations of Utena, Anykščiai, Molėtai, Zarasai, Ignalina and Visaginas. In other words, I am sending police teams to the incident.
It is stressful and emotional work, especially when it comes to informing loved ones about a disaster. There are many situations in which a decision must be made very quickly. Sometimes the person himself avoids asking for help, does not provide all the information, and then collects it to really help him.
It is my responsibility to find out the circumstances of the incident very carefully and, if necessary, warn officials to be careful. It is important that both colleagues are safe and that people are protected. So I need to know everything and send help in a timely manner.
On the other hand, people are becoming increasingly aware. For example, we often receive reports that a car is being driven by a potentially intoxicated person. We try, we understand, and the rapporteur is still grateful to have responded, and there will be fewer dangerous people on the street.
Photo from the personal album / Albinas Šileika
And carving for me is a complete refreshment after service. Of course, I cannot do all my free time because there is a family, children, I want to dedicate time to them, to me and to the community. But carving is everything to me. If I don’t touch the tree for a while, I feel bad. As I carve, I recharge my energy, I feel a tree come to life in my hands and it works.
– How did carving arise in your life?
– You can say that unexpectedly. At the orphanage, we were always involved in some kind of activity. I tried to make sculptures but I didn’t like it. A teacher at Jieznas boarding school, who was a teacher of folklore, suggested that I try carving. I liked it and I did it quite well.
Admittedly, at the time, I didn’t think it would become a lifelong occupation. At the time, it seemed like a childish push of time. Some drank, stole, and went to the gardens to weed people to make a kopeck, and they carved. Little by little I trained my hand, I started participating in competitions and I won first, second place, I didn’t know third places.
The teacher, in turn, pushed me to move on, saying that it only depends on the contribution of all of us to the culture if we maintain the Lithuanian traditions, customs and authenticity. I kept mentioning that this trade could become a source of livelihood for me. Now I see that he was right, I actually have many orders during this period, I have received recognition: my works are appreciated by friends, acquaintances and ethnologists, who are especially happy that someone continues with the traditions of Lithuanian writing.
– How long does it take to carve a thing?
– The object does not depend on the object, it also depends on the complexity of the ornament. With a towel, it takes 1-2 months, carve 1-2 weeks to carve the spindle if the pattern is large, and a month or more if the pattern is small.
Photo from the personal album / Albinas Šileika
– Why did you choose the path of a cop anyway?
– Probably again due to coincidences. Since I was little, I had to wander around Lithuania, since I was relocated more than once. Then I saw everything. Finally, the teacher suggested going to Utena, where his relative would help him settle down and find a job in a meat factory. But it so happened that I didn’t get a job and lived in a room provided by Caritas for a while. I helped take care of the elderly, take them to church. I myself grew up among the older people and it is the older people who have helped me a lot.
Later I got a job at a gym where I worked as a carpenter and electrician. Its director encouraged me to join the then Vilnius Police Academy. I passed the exams and entered completely unexpectedly, because at that time the competition was huge: 10 people applied for a place. After my studies, I returned to Utena because I liked this calm and friendly town, and I have been working for the Utena Police for 27 years.
So at one point I am the guardian of the law, at other times I am an artist. Curiously, that life revolves around, I never thought that on a cold winter night, taken out of my suitcase, I would reach such heights.
– Looking at their sizes, it is obvious how much diligence they require. How are all these patterns born?
– Nobody believes that he carves with a simple knife, I think he used a laser. But it is really handmade, without any technique, and what is handmade is always sincere. It is good to carry such an object in your hands.
In the past, towels and washcloths were household items, now they are only used as an interior accent, but I hope they bring happiness to the house even now, because I always make them with love, from the heart. If I create a custom for a specific family, I think about it when carving, I wish them all. Even if I don’t know those people, just talking about the order establishes the connection. Interestingly, some people know the meaning of refuge and want to have it at home.
I take embellishments from Lithuanian cloth patterns, but I also take some of them. It would be uninteresting if the patterns are repeated. The first versions were more traditional, and now the patterns have become more complex. Others call them the Space Model, mandalas, and say they have never seen anything like it. And it’s fun for me to overcome the challenge: carve the most complex ornament possible.
I would like to pass on my skills to others, but not many people want to do it. Her son is trying to carve, but he is only twelve years old, too young for work. The daughter prefers to draw.
Photo from Albinas Šleika’s personal album / carvings
– Why do you spend so much time working with children? Is the desire to pass on Lithuanian traditions the sole objective?
– On the one hand, there is a desire to pass the traditions on to young people. On the other hand, it is a fun activity for children. They don’t just want to sit in front of computers and phones. We work with a variety of children, including those from families at risk.
They need to work longer because they are difficult to “give up,” but sometimes they work more sincerely than those who have it all: they get so involved that they can carve for hours. Some lack the touches provided when working with wood.
I also had to work with people with disabilities who are very happy when they are successful at something. For me, all children are the same. In short, we try to support Lithuanian roots, because it is up to us how Lithuania will continue to live.
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