Ruta Puidokaite Longlisted for the 2025 Visual Arts Open (VAO) Award
Back in July 2025, I was longlisted for the Visual Arts Open (VAO) Award, hosted by the Visual Artists Association in the UK. I didn’t share the news publicly at the time, not because it didn’t matter, but because I was fully immersed in preparing for ArtSource in Dublin, while simultaneously working on several private art commissions.
The studio was a blur of large canvases, framing schedules, supplier and collector conversations and last-minute deliveries. In that moment, the VAO longlisting felt like a private moment of validation, one I didn’t quite have time to fully absorb or celebrate.
The VAO is known for championing emerging and established artists across disciplines and being recognised among so many international talents was genuinely encouraging. My practice, rooted in abstract and expressive painting, explores energy, emotion and presence. These aren’t always easy to define, so when a jury connects with that kind of work, it reminds me that the intangible still has power.
Although I wasn’t shortlisted in the final round, being selected for the longlist felt like a step forward, a quiet vote of confidence in the direction I’m taking. The longlisted painting is available for purchase.
Thank you to the VAO and Visual Artists Association for the recognition and to everyone who’s supported my work, especially during those intense, important moments in 2025.
You can explore my most recent collections here or reach out if you’d like to discuss collaborations, commissions, or exhibitions.
- Ruta