IN MY SHOES | INDRĖ ŠERPYTYTĖ
Indrė Šerpytytė is a Lithuanian-born, London-based artist whose multidisciplinary work explores the layered connections between history, memory, time, and culture. Working across photography, sculpture, installation, and moving image, tapping into political and cultural narratives. Indrė’s work has been exhibited internationally and is held in major public and private collections.
Discover the woman behind the art @indre_serpytyte
Tell us a little about you.
I’m an artist based in London, originally from Lithuania. My work explores the intersection of history, memory, and the personal—often shaped by political and cultural narratives. I work across various media, always with a focus on creating space for reflection and emotional resonance.
The Roberts Institute of Art is a non-profit contemporary arts organisation founded by my husband, David. Over time, I became deeply involved, and together with our team, we support artists through performance commissions, a residency programme in Scotland, and collaborative exhibitions across the UK. Our mission is to champion experimental practices and share works from our collection with wider audiences.
How do you start your day?
I try to wake up about an hour before my family. It’s a quiet window of time just for me—to sit in stillness, meditate, or gently ease into the day. That solitude is something I’ve come to really cherish.
I always start with warm water and lemon, followed by matcha with a bit of protein—to keep things balanced and avoid the cortisol spike. I don’t drink coffee, so matcha has become my soft, steady lift.
After the school drop-off, I head to the gym. It’s a small daily ritual that I hold onto tightly. Moving my body helps me feel clear and steady—like I’ve carved out space for myself before the rest of the day unfolds.
What is your fashion philosophy?
Less is more. I gravitate toward a classic, understated uniform—mostly monochrome, simple in shape, and timeless in spirit. It brings a quiet confidence and clarity to my day, removing the noise of too many choices.
This approach has also refined the way I travel. I’ve become a light packer by necessity and by choice. I can now go on a two-week trip with just hand luggage, and it feels like freedom. Elegance, to me, lives in restraint—in knowing what works and letting simplicity speak for itself.
Can you share a styling trick with us? Or your top tip (fashion, life, anything)?
Never take anything for granted. Gratitude shifts everything—it grounds you, softens the edges of hard days, and brings more clarity to what truly matters. Whether in life or in style, simplicity and appreciation go a long way.
What / who inspires you?
Human stories inspire me—especially those rooted in everyday life and the quiet strength people show in the face of difficulty. There’s something incredibly powerful about the resilience and grace that can exist alongside suffering. My ideas often stem from observing this depth in people and the way they carry on, often without recognition.
Becoming a mother has also been a huge source of inspiration. Seeing the world through my daughter’s innocent, unaffected eyes is extraordinary. It’s brought a sense of softness and clarity that continues to shape me and my work in ways I’m still discovering.
How do you unwind?
Movement is my therapy—it’s the only thing that truly helps me unwind. A more intense workout clears my head and shifts my energy, while yoga, Pilates, or a long walk helps me slow down and reconnect with myself.
I also love exercising with family and friends. There’s something really special about moving together—sharing that time in a way that feels joyful and grounding. Being active with the people I love feeds both my body and my soul.
If you could visit anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
Palanga, in Lithuania. It’s where I’m originally from, though I left as a child when we moved to the UK. In recent years, I’ve been going back during the summers—especially now with my daughter—and it feels incredibly special. There’s a deep sense of familiarity and calm. The days are slow and peaceful, filled with forest walks, beach outings, long lie-ins, and even a little amber shopping, which has become our small tradition. The scent of the sea, pinewoods, and dunes instantly brings back memories. It’s a place that truly feels like home.
Can you tell us something you discovered recently?
A recent discovery has been Focal Point Gallery in Southend-on-Sea—where we’re currently showing a selection of works from our collection. The exhibition, In Other Worlds: Acts of Translation, was curated by the curators at our foundation, The Roberts Institute of Art, and brings together works by 26 artists, including several that have never been shown in a public gallery before.
What really stayed with me was the scale of the space—there’s a generosity to it. The gallery allows the works to breathe and invites viewers to slow down, take their time, and enter the themes with more openness.
The exhibition explores translation in many forms—through storytelling, myth, memory, language, and material—and includes a newly commissioned audio installation by Haroon Mirza. It’s on until 13 September 2025
What is the best part of your job?
No two days are the same. I’m constantly learning—through research, through people, through unexpected moments that spark something new. I’ve always been hungry for knowledge, and I get restless easily, so being an artist feels like the only path that makes sense for me.
What I love most is being able to take complex, often heavy subjects—war, history, memory—and explore them through a different lens. One that’s more poetic, more human. Art allows me to create a space where people can feel their way into difficult stories, rather than being told what to think. That feels meaningful.
Which Rupert Sanderson shoes do you love this season?
The Aminta. Elegant, understated, and endlessly versatile. The heel is just high enough to move seamlessly from day to night. It’s the kind of shoe that quietly elevates everything—and the only one I’d pack for a two-week trip.
