Next Big Thing: Augustas Serapinas
By repurposing century-old houses as large-scale wooden sculptures, the artist examines the nation's development and rethinks relationships between architecture, people, and social structures
For Augustas Serapinas, there’s no greater inspiration than his home country of Lithuania. By repurposing century-old houses as large-scale wooden sculptures, he examines the nation’s development and rethinks relationships between architecture, people, and social structures. “It took me a while to figure out what I am doing in the art field,” says Serapinas, the youngest creative to present work at the 2019 Venice Biennale. “My first steps as an artist were not material artworks but rather a series of personal actions. It was about expressing myself in a more precise manner.”
In early 2025, Serapinas unveiled the largest and most ambitious version of Physical Culture, his ongoing project that turns plaster sculptures into gym equipment. The installation, which caused a stir in the Unlimited section at Art Basel in Switzerland in 2023, is activated by both individuals practicing academic drawing and groups of visitors.
Up next: Serapinas is preparing for solo shows at the Galeria Municipal do Porto in Portugal and Nottingham Contemporary in England.
“I’m drawn to how Augustas reveals hidden histories, transforming overlooked materials into works that feel profound,” says architectural and interior designer Giampiero Tagliaferri.
A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2025 Winter issue under the headline “Next Big Things.” Subscribe to the magazine.