ABOUT THE ARTIST
MY STORY
Biography
I was born in a small town in Central Estonia called Türi. A few years after graduating from high school, I moved to the university town of Tartu, where I began my studies at Tartu University in painting. During my studies, I also improved myself for a short time in Konrad Mägi’s painting studio, which I consider very useful and even as a turning point in my development as an artist.
I started exhibiting during my final years of university. I soon joined an artist group called Kursi Koolkond (Kursi School) , with which we hold annualy regular joint exhibitions.
Stories
Shots from the middle of stories- these words could best describe my artwork.
Tales of curiosity and contemplation on existence. Throughout my life, I have enjoyed reading epics and fairy tales.
Influencers
As a child of the Soviet era, I had few opportunities to see good quality reproductions of older art, let alone original works. Fortunately, my doctor uncle had a German art book about the Brueghel brothers at home. It became one of my favorites when visiting my uncle in Tallinn. Especially the crazy and detailed paintings of Brueghel the Elder have definitely been unconscious influences on my later artwork. Bernt Notke’s “Dance of Death” seen as a child in Saint Nicholas Church in Tallinn also left an indelible impression.
Christian mysticism and Eastern philosophies
In my twenties, I also became interested in biblical stories and Eastern religions. The Bible seemed to the young man the strangest of all fairy tale books – a book that pretended to an alternative conception of history. Of course, Jesus as a person is the most inspiring and exciting character there.
I still find Asian religions to be the most practical, particularly Indian religions. The most startling thing for me is that the typical Hindu appears to draw absolutely no distinction whatsoever between the epic stories of gods and the actual historical approach. The great Bhagavad Gita, for example, is not fiction even for an educated Hindu. Krishna, Shiva, Lakshmi, Ganesha, Hanuman (you name it) – all these characters have their own reality through the personal experiences of many people.
I took electives at university to learn more about the religions of India and Tibet while I was studying art. That is most likely one of the reasons I find the nature of awareness and reality to be so fascinating these days.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a figurative painter – a storyteller. The stories are created in oil and acrylic, mainly on wood surfaces.
I want to have a deep connection with the material I paint on throughout the entire process. The structure and patterns of the surface actively guide the development of the stories and root the works in a direct connection with nature.
I experience the whole creative process as mystical, and I want the viewer to share this feeling. As an artist, I consider myself a silent intermediary. The forms, symbols and characters in the works are not mine but belong to the original source.
WORKS IN PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
– Art Museum of Estonia- Tartu Art Museum, Estonia
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
– Woodgrain (“PuuSüü”), Gallery Uusi Kipinä, Lahti, Finland
– Woodgrain (“PuuSüü”), Galleria Ronga, Tampere, Finland
– Woodgrain, Tartu Art House, Estonia
2011
– Saltbodan Gallery, Loviisa, Finland
2010
– Public Gallery, Vanemuine Theatre, Tartu, Estonia
2006
– Wonders, People and Wonderpeople, Saaremaa Castle, Estonia
– Wonders, People and Wonderpeople, Tartu Art House, Estonia
2005
– Man from the Forest, Vaal Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2004
– Legends, Y-Gallery, Tartu, Estonia
– Kylas, Mooste Guest Studio, Estonia
– Ihmisen Tutkija, Gallery Just, Turku, Finland
2003
– Tyri Culture House, Estonia
2001
– Vaal Gallery, Estonia
– Tartu University Library, Estonia
1999
– Paide Castle (Vallitorn), Estonia
– KC (duo with Kaarel Vulla), Tartu Art House, Estonia
1998
– Obu Gallery, Tartu, Estonia
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025
– The Blue Verve Gallery, Helsinki Finland
2024
– Kursi Koolkond, Kaunas Artists’ Union Gallery Meno Parkas, Lithuania
– Tartu Artists Annual Exhibition, Tartu Art House, Estonia (2023–2024)
2023
– Kursi Koolkond 35, Estonian National Museum, Estonia
– Kursi Koolkond 35, Tartu Art House (multiple locations), Estonia
2022
– Kursi Koolkond, Viinistu Art Museum, Estonia
– Kursi Koolkond, Võru Town Gallery, Estonia
2021
– Kursi Koolkond, Riga, Latvia
– Joint Exhibition, Vantaa Artists, Salzburg, Austria
2014
– Kursi Koolkond XXV, Rīgas Mākslas Telpa, Latvia
2013
– Kursi Koolkond XXV, Tartu Art House, Estonia
2012
– Kursi Koolkond, Gallery Bastejs, Riga, Latvia
2011
– Quiet Highway with Ari Liimatainen, Hoikkasali Gallery, Äänekoski, Finland
2007
– Gallery Dix, Helsinki, Finland (with Ari Liimatainen & Peeter Allik)
2006
– Brothers (with Lauri Pajos), Vaal Gallery, Estonia
2007
– Kursi Koolkond, Gallery 3. Millennio, Venice, Italy
2004
– Black Star, Äänekoski, Finland
2003
– Exhibition, Grenaa, Denmark
– Biennale, Väsby Konsthall, Sweden
2002
– Artists from Tartu, Tampere, Finland
2000–2001
– Man and Woman (International Nude Art Exhibition), Chaplin Center, Pärnu, Estonia
1999–2001
– Estonian Painters Exhibition, Vaal Gallery, Rotermanni Salt Storage, Tallinn Art House,
Estonia
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
2010 – Anatomy of God, Tartu Art House, Estonia
2006 – Allmaal, Albu Manor House, Estonia
2003 – Shadowside, Tartu Art House, Estonia
2003 – Shadowside 2, Vaal Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia