Kärt Summatavet (b. 1963 in Tallinn)
1987 SAIE, 2005 Aalto University, PhD
I was born in a family of artists and wanted to study the most difficult and versatile speciality – metal art. I am grateful to Professor Kaljo Põllu, the organizer of Finno-Ugric expeditions of SAIE, under whose instruction I documented the ethnographic cultural heritage of our kindred nations and copied rock drawings. Also the theories of a legendary Estonian artist-mystic Tõnis Vint, concerning the meanings of signs and colours, left deep impression for me, but the main knowledge of cultural heritage I have collected from museums, scientific literature and field researches in the villages in Estonia. My creative teacher was Professor Leili Kuldkepp, an excellent drawer and exceptionally sensitive interpreter of culture.
My major creative challenge was Fabergé enamel technology and further development of enamel painting techniques, for witch purpose I have used also computer aided tools and patented inventions. Thus I like to experiment and resolve innovative challenges.
The keywords of my creation: tradition, inspiration, innovation. In recent years I have also cooperated with fashion designers. Through my creation I tell stories, describing who we are, where we have come from and where we go. These are human and noble stories, which roots lie in the traditional human dreams, values and ethics.- In the book “A-Gallery. Estonian art jewellery gallery for 20 years” (2014)
“In 2014 I was conducting a field trip for Chinese students in rural villages, when I came upon a wonderful little shop of precious stones. Immediately I looked upon that extraordinary prehistoric fossil coral that seemed to hold on to some kind of mystical yet universal cosmic code. It led me to an eternal field, like an invitation to explore the network of our universe, reminding of a big cosmic honeycomb. The soul bird and the mythical stories of our ancestors make up the foundation of my artwork. This brooch is created and dedicated to this experience to enrich our cultural heritage. Art and aeonian jewellery are my contribution to the world to keep contact with values which cannot be forgotten.” – Kärt Summatavet at the A-Gallery exhibition MEMORY CARDS (2019)
