Blind pioneer

Born in 1939, Antanas Sutkus studied journalism between 1958 and 1964 studied journalism at Vilnius University. He was one of the founders of the Lithuanian Society of Photographic Art in 1969, and its chairman between 1980 and 1989. From 1989 until 2009 he was the chairman of the Photo Artists’ Union and since 1993, its honorary member. In 1980 Sutkus was awarded the name of Honored Culture Worker of Lithuania; in 1983 he received the Lithuanian State Premium; in 1997 he was decorated with the Order of the Grand Duke Gediminas of the 4th degree; in 1998 he received the Art Award of the Lithuanian Government. In 2001–2002 he won the Erna&Victor Hasselblad Foundation (Sweden) grant Documentation and Conservation of Antanas Sutkus’ Archive of Photographs. In 2003 received the National Premium for Art. In 2006 was decorated with the Golden Cross of the President of Poland Republic. In 2009 was decorated with the the Honour sign “Lithuanian Millennium Star”.