Sniege

Ceramicist I ceramics as sculpture

Lithuanian currently creating in Dublin, Ireland

For Sniege (Snieguole Vaivadiene), the ceramic process is "Alchemy" and "Theatre". Her laboratory and stage are not physical locations, but rather the philosophy and exploration of  "metamorphosis".

Snieges sculptures live at the intersection of nature, psychology and ancient symbolism.

Mostly drawing from Magical Realism and Japanese  aesthetics she finds harmony in the "mix-and-match":

• Anatomic vs. organic form

• Wabi-sabi (beauty of imperfection) vs. Miyabi (refined elegance)

• Traditional vs. modern

The Journey

Sniege's path to ceramic kiln was not linear, but it was always inevitable. Raised in a world defined by the beauty of nature and the magical storytelling of her grandmother - a self-taught artist - Sniege was always obsessed with drawing, literature, cinema, music, theatre, fashion, mysteries of ancient cultures and .... science, being always curious about “how the things are made and how do they function”. 

Though she pursued Classical Philology at Vilnius University, seeking to understand the world through ancient cultures, and later adjusted her studies to economic profile, spending most of her professional life at the National Central Bank, her creative calling remained a constant undertow.

In her 40s, a fascination with modern Japanese BJD-style art dolls ignited a final transition to ceramics, leading her for four transformative years at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, learning ceramic technologies, and finally shifting from the  office to ceramic “Lab” environment.  

Her early work quickly caught the attention of national broadcasters and journalists, finding homes in private collections and commercial galleries in her country and internationally. 

After the global shift of the pandemic, Sniege relocated to Ireland, where she joined the Throwing Shapes studio in Dublin, and is further exploring metamorphosis of the “Prima Materia" - raw elements - into sculptural narrative. 

Sniege’s works are collected by those who are looking for the philosophical weight and hidden narrative behind the form; for everyone who treat their spaces as personal stage or philosophical chamber.

Sniege: "My collector is someone who wants a little bit of 'shadow" and "drama".