I believe tradition is like a language. It has to evolve, and if you strictly follow the canon, it becomes difficult to make it relevant and engaging for young people. Although I use a traditional technique, what matters most to me is changing the context in which the tradition surfaces. The craft is tens of thousands of years old, and I approach it with respect, feeling the responsibility of integrating such an ancient technique into the field of contemporary collectible design.

I collaborate with a traditional artisan, Virgilijus Šlipaitis, a master who studied sculpture and has mastered traditional weaving techniques. He advises me and helps me implement technical solutions. Since this technique can only be learned from artisans who maintain the tradition, this collaboration helps me a great deal as a maker.

Anything around me can be inspiring. I believe beauty can be found in the simplest things. I enjoy observing my surroundings: architecture, people’s faces, nature. If you look long enough, you will always find something interesting. At the same time, it is very important for me to understand and explore our culture and traditions, things that were taken from us or politicised for so long due to historical circumstances. It matters to understand what we value, why we value it, and what our traditions truly are. I want to show people and the world what we have, even if we ourselves often shy away from it.