My story
Freedom generation
of braking bad karma … body-painting …Arctic… of loosing and finding myself
Vilija Vitkute
Vilija Vitkute is a visual artist, photographer, body painter, film director, and paper cut artist.
She was born in 1992 in Klaipeda, Lithuania. Her mother was a piano teacher, and they lived in an art and music school, where Vilija grew up and learned about the arts. At the age of 6, Vilija dreamed of becoming a true artist who inspires people. In 2010, during the economic crisis in the country, Vilija moved to Dalarna, Sweden, where she began working as a professional artist.
Discovery of bodypainting
She built her art career and discovered body painting in 2013, which has changed her life. Today, she lives between Arctic circle -Lofoten islands, South Tyrol, Sweden and Azores islands.
Vilija's art seeks to have local communities take part in the act of artistic creation, it speaks about the human relationship with nature; her passion for art comes from the natural environment, travels, music, and stories. She focuses on the human body, environmental protection, equal rights, climate change, and other essential topics. Vilija is a multi-talented artist who works with mixed art techniques and multidisciplinary projects.
During her artistic and body painting work in Scandinavia, she discovered the world of performance and film, which she dove into with passion. This later brought her rewards, including the title of Artist of the Year in the Dalarna region, winning Music Video of the Year in Sweden, and many other cultural prizes.
Vilija's Artistic Journey and Achievements
Vilija has embarked on an extensive array of art projects around the globe, with one of the most significant taking place in the stark beauty of the Arctic Circle, specifically in Lofoten and Abisko. Here, she dedicated over 15 years to exploring nature while executing numerous art projects that received praise in international media.
Notable Exhibitions and Performances
In 2015, Vilija represented Sweden at the Venice Biennale, showcasing her remarkable work. Her impressive portfolio features exhibitions at Abecita Pop Konst and Foto, Avesta Art, the BOOM Festival, the Amsterdam International Art Fair, Falun Magazinet, and the Peace & Love Festival. Additionally, she has participated in AgitAgueda from 2017 to 2025 and the Menuo Juodaragis festival in Lithuania, among many other festivals and venues.
Commitment to Social Issues
From 2013 to 2025, Vilija has been actively involved in various projects throughout Sweden and Europe, focusing on the fight against racism and advocating for equality, women’s rights, and human rights initiatives that have drawn both local and global attention.
Personal Milestones
In 2019, Vilija welcomed her daughter, Linnéa, on Gotland Island in Sweden. Just three months after giving birth, she achieved an extraordinary milestone by winning the World Bodypainting Championship Award at the World Bodypainting Festival in Klagenfurt, Austria, securing 1st place in the special effects category with her theme “Clear Mind - Clean Planet,” representing Sweden with pride. In 2021, she continued her success by winning the World Champion prize, again taking 1st place for Sweden.
