Explore the themes of emptiness silence and the invisible at new exhibition

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Andrei Chertkov

An exhibition entitled Longing for Lost Space, by the minimalist conceptual painter Sirja-Liisa Eelma, has opened at the Kumu Art Museum in Tallinn. Known for her meditative approach, Eelma explores themes of emptiness, silence, and the complex interplay between the visible and invisible in the exhibition.

Through a combination of pastel hues and repetitive imagery, Eelma invites viewers to pause and reflect, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity and introspection with her pieces. Her fascination with the poetics of space is evident in her site-specific installations and paintings, which often reference various architectural styles and epochs without striving for historical precision.

Inspired by Carl Sigismund Walther’s painting Interior of the Bluhm House in Tallinn, Eelma draws connections between the serene ambience of 19th-century interiors and her own artistic expression. The exhibition features new paintings, sketches, and photographic documentation of her research into the historical context, showcasing how she traverses the nuances of the past while illuminating the often-overlooked details of Walther’s work.

This exhibition will remain on display at the Kumu Art Museum in Tallinn until March 30, 2025.

To learn more about this and similar topics
Art and Space Artistic Dialogue Estonian Art Exhibitions in Tallinn Kumu Art Museum Longing for Lost Space Museums in Tallinn Sirja-Liisa Eelma