Palanga Amber Museum of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art hosts an international exhibition Unexpected Amber: Strong Feelings

The Lithuanian National Museum of Art (LNMA) invites to the international event Unexpected Amber: Strong Feelings hosted by the Palanga Amber Museum of the LNMA. It is focused on amber as a material capable educing some unexpectedly strong feelings. The exhibition opens at 5 pm 26 September, 2025 and will run through 19 April, 2026. 

On display are pieces by twenty artists from eight countries – from established masters of contemporary jewellery, skilled working with amber, to those who have just recently discovered the challenges of this fragile material.  

“Palanga Amber Museum of the LNMA keeps a rather diverse collection of amber jewellery from several historical periods. We always welcome artists who dare create artwork on the theme of amber and, thanks to the material, produce unexpected examples of artistic expression. I kindly invite everyone to see this exhibition and to discover the new ways and new combinations with other materials amber can also be used”, Dr Sigita Bagužaitė-Talačkienė, director of Palanga Amber Museum of the LNMA shares her excitement. 

New approach to amber: an international dialogue of contemporary jewellery artists

The exhibition is curated by the jewellery artist from Germany Heidemarie Herb and Dr Jurgita Ludavičienė, exhibition curator the LNMA. Both are well familiar with the theme of amber. The project Amber Chamber, initiated by Herb in 2015, toured Austria, Luxemburg, Italy, Poland, USA, and Lithuania. This new exhibition continues the same story line: “The exhibition presents contemporary amber jewellery trends in Europe. The pieces by twenty artists reflect different approaches and creative methods, producing together a multifaced and exciting sight,” says Herb. 

No matter how intimate and innate amber appears to Lithuanians, Dr Jurgita Ludavičienė prompts the importance of keeping the ability of a fresh look at it: “In Lithuania we do not have many opportunities to see the artwork with amber by jewellery artists from other countries. This event offers familiarity with different approaches and different traditions of using amber in jewellery. The outcome is truly unexpected and captivating.” 

The exhibition showcases internationally acclaimed artists of contemporary jewellery, offering to the Lithuanian audience an enjoyable encounter with the interpretations of amber jewellery by the lauded names.   

The road of artists’ challenging amber: from mythological stories to kitsch  

Both those who like amber, and those who shun it, cannot resist its fantasy-stimulating power. A piece of amber is like a time capsule, keeping   traces of prehistoric world. These golden fossilized resins have within them not only trapped insects or leaves and different meanings, but also strong emotions. Some imagine pieces of amber as relics of the chariot of the Sun God, others glean in them the glory of the ruined amber castle of the goddess Jūratė. The pieces were latter collected and now are sold as souvenirs by the seaside peddlers. Over time, amber built up plentiful associations, of luxury and of singularity, all the way to kitsch and even repulsion. 

Being accustomed from childhood to seeing all kinds and shapes of amber souvenirs and adornments, we seldom reflect on what challenges amber presents for everyone working with it, being as brittle as it, possibly having within it inclusions, air bubbles or cracks. 

The artists showcased at the exhibition took the challenge. Their artefacts present amber as interpreted by different traditions, experiences, forms and narratives, harmonies and contrasts of materials. Visitors can also expect some unexpected discoveries: these apparently mundane fossilized resins can take them by surprise and become a source of strong feelings.

Curators: Jurgita Ludavičienė, Heidemarie Herb  

Participating artists from Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Korea, Austria, Italy, Belgium, United Kingdon, Netherlands 

Architect Vladas Balsys  

Coordinator Regina Makauskienė  

Designer Lina Bastienė  

Project financed by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania

Information partner Palanga Tourism Information Centre

Supporters:  UAB Gintaro pasaulis, UAB Sweet Art, Palanga Park Festival