Estonian Association of Painters annual exhibition is open at MONA in Pärnu
Text Timo Huttunen Photos Pärnu Museum of Contemporary Art
The Estonian Association of Artists’ annual exhibition “Reality and Imagination” will be on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MONA) in Pärnu from April 8 to May 28, 2023.
In addition to 70 Estonian painters, ten artists from Finland have also been invited to participate in the exhibition.
As creators of virtual reality, painters are pioneers. Centuries before the invention of photography and film, the painted reality was one of the few ways of recording and documenting the visible world.
In the 2023 “Reality and Imagination” exhibition, special attention is paid to those who display a strong “artistic conviction”, and have a belief in the durability of their chosen means of expression.
Lilian Mosolainen’s (b. 1961) work “Death of the Blessed” exudes the drama of a religious subject. Veteran artist Einar Vene (b. 1952) also finishes his canvases in a style reminiscent of icon painting. The subjects in his “Calvary Cross” and “Athens” pieces are like new superheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Piret Rohusaar’s (b. 1961) contrasting colours are too wild for even a hipster’s taste. The artist brings even flashier, giant ceramic vases to balance her paintings.
The annual exhibition in Pärnu has become a place where you can always find an enjoyable selection of the big names of Estonian art, and this will also be the case in 2023.
The exhibition features new works by old masters Uno Roosvalt (b. 1941) and Mari Roosvalt (b. 1945). Their works, which are like they are from an era when the threshold to work in the art of painting required a masterful control of painting techniques. The oldest participant of the exhibition, Tiiu Pallo-Vaik (b. 1941), on the other hand, continues to work on renewing the art of painting.
Traditionalism and innovation are not the parameters of this exhibition, and they have not been connected to the birth years of the artists for a long time. For example, Stanislav Antipov (b. 1976), an artist living in Estonia who is originally from Udmurt, bases his art on traditional realism, but also seems to appreciate light-sensitive impressionism and abundant painterliness. Skilled painter Valeri Vinogradov (b.1952) contributes to the meaning of an image with the painting “Seagull tearing the web”, as does Anne Parmasto with the work “Apple tree in a paradise garden”.
Marko Mäetamm (b. 1965) has been invited to electrify the “Reality and Imagination” exhibition, whose five one-meter works are from a newer series called “The End of the World”. This time, Mäetamm surpasses all his previous selves and egos many times over. Hybrids of evil potted flowers and man-eating plants (which are no longer human, but not plants either) have a keen sense of presence. The do-gooder is dead, and moral rules are only for the weak.
Among the ten invited Finnish artists, the excellent colourist Mika Vesalahti (b. 1967) stands out. The Finnish artists at the exhibition were chosen by Satu Kalliokuusi from the Helsinki Artists’ Society.
Participants in the exhibition: Magdalena Åberg,Vano Allsalu, Stanislav Antipov, Ivi Arrak, Miina Barrera Pinochet, Kadri Bormeister, Marju Bormeister, Erik Creutziger, Jaan Elken, Tyko Elo, Herlet Elvisto, Evi Gailit, Anne-Mai Heimola, Mirjam Hinn, Eero Ijavoinen, Sergei Inkatov, Kristiina Jakimenko, Ashot Jegikjan, Hanne Juga, Eva Jänes, Jari Järnström, Ly Kaalma, Martin QBA Kaares, Kalli Kalde, Annu Kapulainen, Anniki Kari, Erki Kasemets, Liis Koger, Katrina Kolk, Aki Koskinen, Eve Kruuse, Piret Kullerkupp, Anna Kõuhkna, Andro Kööp, Vilen Künnapu, Mati Kütt, Tarrvi Laamann, Ivika Luisk, Helle Lõhmus, Vitali Makar, Margus Meinart, Maret Melder, Anne Moggom, Lilian Mosolainen, Anu Muiste, Peeter Must, Marko Mäetamm, Karl-Kristjan Nagel, Kairit Orgusaar, Riin Pallon, Tiiu Pallo-Vaik, Mall Paris, Anne Parmasto, Per William Petersen, Sirje Petersen, Sirje Piir, Kadri Ploom, Heitti Polli, Tiit Priidel, Lii Pähkel, Piret Rohusaar, Mari Roosvalt, Uno Roosvalt, Saara Salmi, Kaja Sikk, Sandra Sirp, Mirja Smidt, Maret Suurmets Kuura, Santa Zukker, Karl-Erik Talvet, Merike Tamm, Tiina Tammetalu, Edgar Tedresaar, Lola Tehver, Jane Tiidelepp, Margus Tiitsmaa, Lea Tomson, Heli Tuksam, Maris Tuuling. Manfred Vainokivi, Einar Vene, Valeri Vinogradov, Mika Vesalahti, Arto Väisänen.
The curator of the exposition and designing: Jaan Elken
Pärnu Museum of Contemporary Art
Open Wed–Sun, 11 a.m.–6 p.m
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