Vytautas Kumža, Beginning or the end , 2024. Archival ink-jet print, metal hardware, knife, aluminIum frame courtesy the artist Copperfield, Martin van Zomeren
For its first participation to OFFSCREEN art fair, London-based gallery Copperfield presents the work of Vytautas Kumža, a Lithuanian visual artist living and working in Amsterdam. The presentation is made in collaboration with Galerie Martin van Zomeren (Amsterdam), which represents the artist.
Andrea Maffioli, co-director of Copperfield, cites the fair’s strong reputation for curated, experimental programming as a key reason for joining OFFSCREEN this year along with the very specific site for 2025 : a former classical church within an hospital.
Located in a reimagined former religious building just south of Tate Modern, Copperfield is known for its engagement with both emerging and established artists, emphasizing concept-driven, interdisciplinary practices across various media.
Kumža’s work explores the contradictions embedded in everyday logic, constructing visual narratives that blur the line between reality and illusion. Primarily using photography, his installations often take sculptural form, either reinforcing or challenging the spatial dynamics of the images themselves. The resulting objects, at once fragile and forceful, transform familiar symbols into uncanny, unresolved forms. Through processes of distortion and displacement, Kumža creates environments that feel simultaneously fragile and disquieting.
Why did you choose OFFSCREEN Paris ?
We chose OFFSCREEN for its highly curated and selective approach. Unlike many other fairs, it places a strong emphasis on moving images, photographic sculpture, and installation—mediums that are central to our gallery’s program. We were also particularly intrigued by the unique venue, which adds an atmospheric and contextual layer to the experience.
What are you presenting ?
We’re showcasing a solo presentation by Vytautas Kumža, a young Lithuanian artist who pushes the boundaries of photography by merging everyday objects with glass sculptures. His work explores metaphysical themes through invisible presences and layered temporalities.
Kumža’s recent sculptures, previously exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, bring together photography, sculptural gestures, and glass to create poetic, immersive environments that challenge perception and narrative.
What is the artist’s background ?
Vytautas Kumža graduated from the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, where he studied photography. His practice is deeply informed by a psychological approach to image-making, exploring how perception, memory, and visual language shape meaning.
How did you discover his work ?
We first came across Kumža’s work during our participation in Art Antwerp. His pieces were presented by Galerie Martin van Zomeren, right across from our booth. We were immediately struck by the strength and originality of his practice. That encounter led to a conversation with Martin, and together we decided to develop this project and bring it to OFFSCREEN Paris.
What role does photography play in your gallery’s program ?
While photography isn’t the primary focus of our program, it’s a medium that several of our artists engage with conceptually—artists like Larry Achiampong and Rä di Martino, for example. We’re particularly interested in photography that pushes boundaries and intersects with other disciplines like film, installation, or sculpture.
How does the gallery respond to the current climate of uncertainty ?
It’s true that many people are leaving London, and some galleries have closed. That said, things are still going well for us. We’re facing more challenges, particularly with rising costs : transportation from London to the continent has become more expensive but our program is very focused and continues to attract strong support from collectors and institutions. We’ve had to work harder, but our community believes in what we do, and we’re still actively participating in fairs across Europe.
Practical Infos :
OFFSCREEN
Chapelle Saint-Louis de la Salpêtrière
October 21-26
Free entrance