Author Archives: A-galerii

Back Posted on October 22, 2020February 2, 2022 by A-galerii

MORGEN HÄÄL x ILLEND x KIRSS x PAULIN x VILLEMI

RETROSPECTS
Maire Morgen Hääl

Sille Kima, the gallerist and curator of A-Gallery: “One window is undoubtedly not enough for an extensive retrospective of Maire Morgen Hääl’s work. Morgen Hääl’s work and contribution to Estonian art history is noteworthy. Artist and curator Kaisa Maasik has said that in 2020 contemporary artists are hybrids, whose main interests hint at who they would be if they were not artists. Maire has been a hybrid from the beginning. As a monumentalist, creator of public art, metal artist, designer and exhibition producer, she would need much more space and a deep reflection on her work. This window exhibition is the first bookmark.”

Maire Morgen Hääl (1939) studied blacksmithing at Estonian Academy of Art (former State Art Institute) and later, for many years, worked as a designer and an artist at the Experimental Construction Department of Tallinn University of Technology (former Tallinn Polytechnical Institute), where she designed and made details for testing equipment which the institute’s scientists needed for their experiments. Aside from that Morgen Hääl occasionally worked on creating award badges and medals for the rectorate’s or the ruling party’s distinguished guests during the Soviet era.

During the same period, Hääl’s creative designs were mostly monumental works for public space. Her works include ironwork at the Glehn Castle and Õnnepalee, as well as the monumental sculpture “Students” in front of the main building of TalTech,as well as lighting fixtures in National Library of Estonia, and elsewhere. Morgen Hääl also kept up a jewellery practice and created commissioned works in semi-secrecy, as this was prohibited by the Soviet state. In her jewellery designs Morgen Hääl’s main focus is the person the piece is for. Partly due to this, she has created few pieces without a specific person in mind. One of Morgen Hääl’s most notable collaborations was with fashion designer Kai Saar at the Tallinn Fashion House at the end of the 1980s.

Maire Morgen Hääl’s works belong to the collection of Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design and she has participated in exhibitions in Berlin, Moscow, Tallinn, Vilnius, Prague, Montreal and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union.

PLAY
Leida Illend

“Play is a serious work for a little human, as stated in a song. Play! By designing jewellery I have relied on playful approaches, such as combination, juxtaposition of surfaces, using different textures and graphic lines etc – their correlation and the contribution of stones. Play is mysterious. Play is secret.” – Leida Illend, 13 October 2020

Leida Illend (1940) spent her school years in Rakvere. She began her art studies at Tartu Art School as a decorator (1961–1966). Illend graduated from Estonian Academy of Arts (former State Art Institute) in 1972. From 1972 to 1995 she worked at ARS-JUVEEL as an artist and creator of original editions. Today she is a freelance artist. Illend’s works have been shown at applied art exhibitions since 1971, both in Estonia and abroad, including in Milan, Italy; Montreal, Canada; Munich, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Lithuania and elsewhere in the Soviet Union. She has taken part in three Tallinn Applied Art Triennials. Her solo exhibition “Clarity” was displayed at A-Gallery (2005) and the most notable group shows Illend has participated in include “10” at Tallinn Town Hall (1998) and “Eyes” at Vabaduse gallery (1996). In recent years she has taken part in the annual exhibitions of the Estonian Association of Jewellery Artists and Blacksmiths whenever possible. Many of her works belong to private collections as well as those of Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design and Tallinn City Museum.

PEEPSHOW
Liisbeth Kirss

“Peepshow” is about love, sexuality, shame and pride. Some feelings make you want to cover your eyes and hide behind a curtain. Fighting this shyness is an everyday struggle. Why do I feel a girly coyness as a grown-up woman? And when I do temporarily defeat this feeling, I have to start explaining my “arrogance”. Does anyone even love without shame?

Liisbeth Kirss (1996) was born and raised in Pärnu. In 2018 she graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts with a Bachelor’s degree in Jewellery and Blacksmithing, currently continuing studies in the Master’s degree. Kirss has taken part in exhibitions both home and abroad, as well as an internship in Amsterdam. She gets inspiration from friends, love and nightlife.

APPLE ORCHARD
Margit Paulin

After offering Adams’ apple to Eve, so much has happened in this garden. Old metal objects found in the soil under the apple tree leaves of the artists’ own home garden, have got the words to tell their stories through jewellery and through the artists’ hands,which are very personal – someone has had love, had prayers, faith… has shed blood and built a home – simple timeless apple orchard stories. Dedicated to special men.

Margit Paulin (1980) was born in Tallinn and graduated from EKA with a degree in metal jewellery in 2012 and is currently working as a freelance jewelry artist in her home studio between the forest and the sea in the small Estonian village of Keibu. In the creation of jewellery, the important aspect is the story of someone, from which the journey of jewellery begins and on the basis of this story the object becomes an individual piece of jewellery. Jewelry has a soul, and if there is a story the jewellery could be everlasting.

BROKEN-HEARTED
Paul Villemi

Death is a part of every life and it leaves a mark on the ones close to it. But it can be beautiful – that which is left behind.

Paul Villemi (1983) is a metal artist, who has graduated from the Department of Jewellery and Blacksmithing Estonian Academy of Arts in the (2014 BA). He has taken part in numerous group exhibitions and in 2015 he opened his personal exhibition “Motive” in the Vault of A-gallery. Paul has largely been focused on knifemaking, using 3D printing and metal casting as his main techniques.

ARTIST TALK: MAIRE MORGEN HÄÄL (est)
ARTIST TALK: LIISBETH KIRSS (est)
ARTIST TALK: MARGIT PAULIN (est)
ARTIST TALK: PAUL VILLEMI (est)

Back Posted on October 12, 2020February 2, 2022 by A-galerii

THE FORGOTTEN ALLURE OF BARBARITY

Indrek Jets´ art mentally travels the darker and more obscure paths of cultural history. His work brings together prehistoric and early medieval ornaments, Baroque forms, Art Nouveau lines, mythical- fantastical atmosphere, uncompromising aggression of Punk culture and dandy-like elegance. Many of his pieces are inspired by archaeological finds with coded ornaments hiding myths and stories. You just have to know how to read them.

Indrek Jets is a teacher, metal artist and has a PhD in archaeology. His academic focus is on early Estonian ornaments. He has created reconstructions of archaeological finds for Estonian National Museum and teaches at the Tallinn University Haapsalu College, Haapsalu Art School and Haapsalu Vocational Education and Training Centre. He has also given lectures at the Ööülikool radio programme.

ARTIST TALK

Back Posted on September 25, 2020February 2, 2022 by A-galerii

JELLE x KEDRINA x LILLEMETS x SERGIJENKO

PURE KINDNESS + DANCE
Heigo Jelle

Heigo Jelle (1963) graduated from ERKI (Estonian Academy of Arts) in 1986, and has since maintained a professional practice in metal arts. He worked as a faculty member in the Estonian Academy of Arts from 1991-2015, including 18 years as an Associate Professor. His primary material is iron and his primary technology of work is forging. Jelle’s work ranges from jewelry to sculpture, with an emphasis on commissions for both historical and modern architectural projects, including nine gates in the Tallinn Old Town. His latest monumental work was finished in June 2020 – a four meter sculpture “Wake up call” on Torni street in the Tallinn district of Nõmme.

On the windows on A-Gallery, Jelle is showcasing two of his monumental forged and welded steel sculptures.

INSIGNIFICANT BURDEN OF BEING
Ljubov Kedrina

Each of us has a past that trails behind each step, that consists of predefined occasions and uncontrolled situations. It consists of the experiences of our ancestors, where on the scales there is an unstable balance between conscious choice and fateful events. We are dragging with us this insignificant burden of being.

Ljubov Kedrina (1987) was born and raised in Tallinn, Estonia. Graduated from Tallinn University in 2011 in Art Therapies (BA) and in 2019 from Estonian Academy of Arts, Jewellery and Blacksmithing Department (BA). Participated in several international group exhibitions in Italy, Portugal, Russia and Estonia.

LIGHTNING IN THE LOTUS BLOOM
Bruno Lillemets

“The way in which the lotus blossom slowly opens, quietly spreading out its petals, is indeed like the revelation of truth, that becomes then visible between the pink petals, reminiscing a brilliant cut diamond. It comes as no surprise that the gods have made a habit of sitting on it.” – Tõnn Sarv

Bruno Lillemets (1979) studied Jew ellery Art at the Estonian Academy of Arts. He has been participating in exhibitions since 1998. For the past decade Lillemets has mostly been working on monumental installations for public space. For example, the interactive robot fungi at the Tallinn TV Tower and design elements of the permanent exhibition of the Estonian History Museum’s Great Guild Hall. His sculptures and installations can also be found outside of Tallinn in Rakvere, Tartu, Narva, Kohtla-Järve, Põlva and Kehra. Lillemets’ works are a part of the collection of the Estonian Applied Art and Design Museum.

MESSAGE FROM BABYLON
Tamara Sergijenko

In the contemporary world order one can often get in touch with the traditions of ancient civilizations. One of them – creating and wearing jewellery – has never lost its relevance. The colours of foregone times are reflected within works that look like paintings, unexpectedly encrusted with silver jewellery.

The bulk of Sergijenko’s work is based on various techniques of working with enamel. On the window of A-gallery she presents her recent paintings along with silver jewellery in the rare and extremely demanding plique-a-jour technique.

Tamara Sergijenko (1950) graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts and has participated in numerous exhibitions in Estonia and abroad: USA, Great Britain, Japan, France, Poland, Lithuania, Russia, among others. Sergijenko has taken part in jewellery symposiums in Germany, Great Britain and Lithuania. She has held masterclasses in USA and Russia and has been awarded prizes and diplomas at various competitions.

Sergijenko’s enamel works can be found in „The Collector’s Golden Book“ (published by Les Editions Arts et Images du Monde, Paris, 1992 – 1993). Her works belong to museum collections in Estonia, Russia, USA and Germany, as well as in several private collections.

The exhibition is sponsored by Cultural Endowment of Estonia.

ARTIST TALK: HEIGO JELLE (est)
ARTIST TALK: LJUBOV KEDRINA (est)
ARTIST TALK: BRUNO LILLEMETS (est)

Back Posted on September 14, 2020February 2, 2022 by A-galerii

LOOKS LIKE JEWELLERY

I do not claim the title of a “pure” jeweller. But who could prevent me from doing so? Especially given the fact that I once studied jewellery and metal art in Tallinn. I work episodically, when I have an overload of works in progress and ideas from other creative endeavours. Provoked by such high-sounding titles as Amber Trip, Silver Festival, Metallophone and others, I sometimes get myself into this, yet I think of myself as not belonging to this guild, I mean, the guild of jewellers… So, I have an ambiguous approach. But I really care about all this. I would describe the style of my works as industrial. That is why the materials that I use are far from elite, namely, aluminum, bronze, quartz, ready-mades, fragments of metal tools… And, oh yes, sometimes amber. I put myself into your (professional) hands.

Best of luck with your criticism!

Best regards,
Romualdas

Romualdas Inčirauskas (1950) studied metal at Higher School of Applied Art in Telšiai and at ERKI (the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR). His artistic production encompasses the decorative – conceptual metalwork, sculpture, medals and painting. He is a member of the Lithuanian Artist’s Association since 1986 and FIDEM (International Medallist’s Federation) since 1998. In addition to exhibiting at numerous exhibitions since 1978, Inčirauskas’ works have been acquired by Lithuanian National Museum, Vilnius Gaon Jewish State Museum, National Museum of M.K.Čiurlionis, Maironis Literary Museum, Museum of Chiune Sugihara in Kaunas, Vincas Gėlė Museum (Naisiai. Šiaulių region), Samogitian Art Museum (Plungė), Samogitian Museum Alka (Telšiai), A. Baranauskas and A. Vienuolis – Žukauskas Literary Museum (Anykščiai), Nelimarkka Museum (Alajarvi, Finland), Basis School of Sculpture Museum (Tel Aviv) and the British Museum (London). His works are held in private collections in Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Israel, Germany, Italy, Japan, Austria, Sweden, USA and elsewhere.

ARTIST TALK

Back Posted on August 26, 2020February 2, 2022 by A-galerii

ARRAK x PÄRTELPOEG x PAAL x VOOSALU

5 KNIVES
Tõnu Arrak

For some time it was a challenge for me, now it has become my profession. I simply wanted to make these objects. It is the thing I do best, it still has not become boring, it still challenges me. These knives have been made in the past year.

Tõnu Arrak (1964) is a knifemaker and a metal artist. Between 1985–1990 Arrak studied metal arts at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Before settling into his current practice of professional knifemaking, Arrak was a jewellery artist, blacksmith and a bladesmith. Knives made by Arrak – bearing the name Tuuts – are highly valued by many distinguished chefs in Estonia and abroad.

The knives of Tõnu Arrak have received multiple awards in France, Belgium, Germany and Finland. His solo exhibition “Striped Iron” was a collaboration with Estonian History Museum (2004). His latest exhibition “40 knives. Tõnu Arrak and Friends” took place at the National Library of Estonia (2014).

WHEN TIME STOPS / the world rushes on
Mari Pärtelpoeg

When the flow of my time stops: I see grass growing high, seeds ripening, a river finding the way between stones, clouds slowly changing shape.

Knitting silver wire is an old and slow technique of Indian and Tibetan origin, demanding patience – though thoroughly enjoyable. The details added to chain are either casted or pressed.

Mari Pärtelpoeg (1956) studied at the Estonian State Art Institute specializing in metal art (1974–1979). She has exhibited since 1978. In addition to participating at applied art exhibitions and quadriennials in Germany, Denmark and Sweden, her works have been shown at the Contemporary Swedish Silver Gallery in Stockholm (1992) and at the Scandinavian and Baltics applied arts exhibition “FROM DREAMS TO REALITY” in Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, Copenhagen, Göteborg and Helsinki (1993/94). She has participated at the Tallinn Applied Art Triennial multiple times. She is one of the founders of ON-grupp but also works as an independent artist. Pärtelpoeg’s works are in the collections of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design. Mari Pärtelpoeg has shown her works at a duo exhibition at Tallinn Art Salon together with Anu Paal (1986) and at solo exhibitions at A-gallery. Her latest exhibition “Garten”, collaboration with Katrin Veegen, was exhibited at Trofejas, Berlin (2017).

LONGINGS
Anu Paal

On display are brooches inspired by the motives of traditional sõlg and prees chest adornments. The brooches are made of wood and bark, conveying the idea of deep interconnectedness of indigenous heritage and the natural environment.

Anu Paal (1951) graduated from the department of jewellery and metalwork at ERKI (State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR) in 1979. She has participated in exhibitions in Estonia and abroad since 1978. In addition to applied art exhibitions in Estonia and the Baltics, Paal has participated at numerous exhibitions in Scandinavia, Germany, UK and Moscow since the end of the 1980s. Among others, she has had solo and collaborative exhibitions at Tallinn Art Salon (1986), the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design (1990, 1995, 2002), Kristjan Raud Museum (1995), Tallinn Art Hall (1996, 2011, 2016), Adamson-Eric Museum (2001) and at A-gallery (2016). Her works are in the collections of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design. Paal was the recipient of the Kristjan Raud Art Award in 1991.

SOMEWHERE ELSE
Ülle Voosalu

That which is here is somewhere else.
A thought occurs, rushing past at great speed, and is realized somewhere else.
You only need to begin with an action and it will start reiterating itself, going its own way.
The end result is unpredictable or too simple to predict. It is decided somewhere else.
A game that cannot be captured here and now.
A game that is played somewhere else.

Ülle Voosalu (1954) graduated from ERKI as a jewellery artist. Since 1980, she has been had solo and joint exhibitions in Estonia,former Czechoslovakia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia and Gemany. Voosalu is a member of the Estonian Artists’ Association. She worked as an artist in Tartu Ars and as a lecturer in Pallas University of Applied Sciences. Currently she is working as a freelance jewellery artist.

ARTIST TALK: TÕNU ARRAK (est)

Back Posted on August 14, 2020February 2, 2022 by A-galerii

SOURCES OF VIRTUE

Erle Nemvalts’ exhibition SOURCES OF VIRTUE was chosen as the best VAULT exhibition of A-Gallery in 2020.

The exhibition, titled SOURCES OF VIRTUE, ponders upon the evergreen search for ethical modes of existence in uncertain contemporary times.

“Throughout times people have been striving towards universal virtuousness. Despite that, it is very difficult to find a domain of human activity, where ethical or moral compromises are not being made in favour of some specific group. Time after time, the interests of narrow groups have been wreaking havoc on both themselves and their surroundings. Yet this is nothing new. Mankind has often been on the brink of destruction, but somehow managed to survive, and will likely do so in the future. The question is not in survival, but rather in the core values of continued existence.” – Nemvalts, Erle, on the quest for sources of virtue, 2020.

Erle Nemvalts is a jewellery artist pursuing master’s degree in Estonian Academy of Arts. Her works are mainly concentrated on patterns and peculiarities of human behaviour. Her works have been exhibited in several group exhibitions both in Estonia as well as abroad, in 2019 she received the special prize of Young Jewellery Foundation. SOURCES OF VIRTUE is her second solo exhibition.

Supporters: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Suhkruingel. Special thanks to: Cathrin Kaldmaa, Kaur Virkebau, Riina Kütt, Urmas Nemvalts, Valdek Laur.

Back Posted on July 29, 2020February 2, 2022 by A-galerii

ARNOLD x LEPIK x NIINEMÄGI x KOSENKRANIUS on the windows of A-Gallery

EXTENDED PLAY
Georg Arnold

On the show is an EP (Extended Play). Each disc has one track, which are interpretations of ornament based on the Archimedean spiral. The motive comes from the vinyl records. Tools used were a plasma cutter and a lathe, the material is steel. Made in the autumn of 2019 in the workshop of Estonian Academy of Arts while being an artist in residence.

Georg Arnold (1994) received his BA of Blacksmithing from the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2019 and continued there as an artist in residence. Took part in a “Metal Art Program” in Sweden at HDK-Valand Steneby in the spring of 2020. From experimenting with technologies he is now choosing to work more with gas and plasma cutting. Some of his works are in the collection of Estonian Academy of Arts. This is his first exhibition after graduation. Out of the context the artist is inspired by the wine, music and collecting.

ABOUT FACE
Claudia Lepik

I spent a month in 2019 in residence in New York city. Bright lights, fascinating locales and long walks offered respite and inspiration. Invigorated by my surroundings I found new passion for work and in particular for material. So came together a new body of work of face and nose jewelry composed around layered structures and colours. The three pieces on display are a fragment from my show “About Face” which took place the same year at the New York Jewelry Week.

Claudia Lepik is a jewellery artist. She obtained her jewellery BA degree at the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2018 and was the recipient of the EAA Young Applied Artist Prize the same year. After graduating, Claudia has participated in multiple group exhibitions in Estonia and Greece. Her first solo exhibition took place last Autumn during NYC Jewelry Week.

HALFTONE
Maarja Niinemägi

Each piece of jewellery brings together meanings, and as wearers of jewellery, we belong to the world of various unique ideas, where color also plays a special role. By using color in the material, saturated or accented, the jewellery becomes an abstract combination of color and form. Titanium as a material provides many possibilities for this. The jewellery is very light and the reflection of colors from the metal surface is clear and transparent. Laser cut forms are completed by handmade finish, so each piece of jewellery can be a little different. The exhibition features airy, three-dimensional earrings. The technologies used are laser cutting, spot welding, anodizing.

Maarja Niinemägi has participated in exhibitions in Estonia, Europe, China, America and Australia. Maarja Niinemägi graduated Estonian Academy of Arts, specializing on jewellery art (BA 2004, MA 2008). She has been an exchange student at the Trier University of Applied Sciences in Idar-Oberstein in Germany, developing skills in gemstone engraving and design. Her works have been purchased for the collection of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, the Alice and Louis Koch Collection in the Swiss National Museum, private collections (Kadri Mälk EST, Susan Cummins USA, Lars Phalmann FIN). She belongs to the Estonian Artists ‘Union and to the Estonian Designers’ Union. Maarja Niinemägi currently lives in Tartu and works in the jewelry art studio Cirrus.

… AND THE NINE-HEADED WYVERN
Katrin Kosenkranius

A fairy tale says… to find it, you need to wear out three pairs of iron shoes and eat three loaves of stone bread, and then there is only the nine-headed Wyvern left, whose masks fall when you surrender to it… only after that the answer arrives…

Katrin Kosenkranius has studied art at the Academia Non Grata and jewellery art at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She has also spiced up her taste in jewellery with internships in Italy and Sweden. Katrin has participated in exhibitions to greater and lesser extent both here and there. In 2012 she was honoured with Roman Tavast Scholarship.

ARTIST TALK: GEORG ARNOLD (est)
ARTIST TALK: MAARJA NIINEMÄGI (est)

Back Posted on July 20, 2020February 2, 2022 by A-galerii

COME TO THE WOODS. GO TO THE WOODS. BE IN THE WOODS. IN THE WOODS.

The woods and its creatures are a part of us, they are our kin – we cannot do without them. We have to care for our close ones.

During the recent years, I have dedicated my jewellery to the protection of endangered species. Wolves, white-tailed eagles, bears, deer, flying squirrels and other animals are represented in my works because I want to bring them to attention, to protect them in my own fashion.

With this exhibition, I present new works of silver jewellery with precious stones.

To accompany the jewellery, I am presenting my graduation work tutored by Heinz Valk – a cast bronze table. From the same period, but already after the graduation from the Academy of Arts, I am displaying etched nickel silver brooches.

I have prepared this exhibition with great joy. Of course, the creative process has included distress and arguing with myself, but altogether it has been an exciting walk.

Anne Roolaht (1959) studied jewellery at the Estonian Academy of Arts in the years 1984 – 1989. Anne says that she always makes jewellery with joy, and you can feel it. She also teaches at Viimsi art school, and finds it magnificent. Anne has participated in exhibitions in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, England and Ireland since 1988. Her jewellery is worn all over the world.

ARTIST TALK

Back Posted on July 2, 2020February 2, 2022 by A-galerii

KIBE x NIEDRE x KUBJA

EYE OF THE TEMPEST
Kristiina Kibe

Captured moments of inescapable power. Things that we have not experienced can be sensed as terrifying, more powerful or beautiful. It is said that fear has big eyes. When our eyes are filled with fear, do we see that which does not exist or rather, are we seeing with a heightened sense of precision?

Kristiina Kibe (1970) is an Estonian metal artist and a biologist. She teaches metal chemistry and patination technology at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Kibe received her BA at University of Tartu in 1994, studying biology. In the years 2002-2005 she learned jewelry and metal art at the master classes of Estonian Academy of Arts (Kadri Mälk, Rein Mets, Piret Hirv, Bettina Speckner). In 2009 she received an MA in Jewelry and Metal Arts at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions since.

SURVIVAL OF MERCY
Jan Niedre

To survive at the mercy of another.
To have mercy on all living.
To live without mercy and have mercy in living.
Mercy touches the living and only in life can we be merciful.
And David said to Gad, I am in a
great strait: let us fall now
into the hand of the LORD; for
his mercies are great: and let me
not fall
into the hand of man.

(2Sm 24:14)

Sven Tali (1970), working under the artist persona Jan Niedre, is an Estonian jewelry artist and a photographer. He received his BA in Jewelry and Metal Arts from the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2003 and continued his studies at ESAD MATOSINHOS (College of Art and Design, Porto). Tali has participated in group and solo exhibitions with jewelry and conceptual objects since 2003. Between 2006 and 2012, he served as the chairman of the Estonian Association of Metal Artists.

BE COOL
Kai Kubja

Jewellery made of silver.

Created according to mood and in the moment. Some moments have been longer than others.

All jewellery has been created listening to good music in nice weather and with absolutely no restrictions. Let the wearer of the jewellery recognise the magic, the artist does not intervene by making up stories. The sole inspiration for the author is the emotion in the moment – black-and-white today, colourful and sweet tomorrow.

Everything is mixed up and different, but with one common denominator – the artist.

Kai Kubja has a degree in art pedagogy, she studied at the jewellery department at Estonian Academy of Arts, and has worked and taught in Cologne, Germany. Kai’s specialities are enamelling and wearable miniature painting. Pearls and antique jewellery are her great passions. She creates her jewellery in her home studio in Aegviidu, where every day is like Friday…

ARTIST TALK: KAI KUBJA (est)

Back Posted on June 22, 2020February 2, 2022 by A-galerii

TIME

TIME, a celebration of the 85. birthday of the filigree-master Aino Kapsta, is an overview of her works created over the recent years.

“My exhibition is a cross-section of the ideas I have arrived at when working in my beloved filigree technique which has fascinated me for decades now. I have often found myself starting from the centre, then moving towards the edges – a process I have discovered to closely resemble making of mandalas. Into each element and detail I have laid good thoughts. Making this exhibition was a kind of therapy for me: I was deeply at peace and experienced the lightness of overwhelming joy.

The show includes three autonomous sets of works: brooches, pendants and neck pieces.

The brooches carry the initial vision of the show, the luminescence of clouds, while the pendants and neck pieces pushed the concept forward. Mostly, I chose to use semi-precious stones. Quartz with its brightness fits my vision perfectly, the powerful essence of garnets and the warmth of topaz is supported by gold spheres. I wish for the inner peace and harmony to radiate to the viewers through my work.”

Aino Kapsta was born in Saaremaa in 1935. She graduated from Kuressaare Secondary School and continued her studies at the State Art Institute. Although Kapsta’s first choice was sculpture, in 1961 she graduated from the Metal Department and in 1966 became a member of the Estonian Artists’ Association. It is probably thanks to her sculpture studies that she created several panels, fountains, decorative metal grids, clocks, and sculptures in Narva, Tartu, Moscow, Jurmala and Saaremaa, many of them in collaboration with Mai Mägi.

Even though Kapsta has always enjoyed experimenting with materials and techniques, due to circumstances brass, red copper, bronze, melchior, and new silver remained her favourite materials for a long time. A wide selection of these items belongs to the collection of Estonian Applied Art and Design Museum.

Freedom to use precious metals allowed for experimenting with new techniques. For example, melting numerous small details into various compositions, and of course, filigree technique, which is creatively extremely satisfying due to its complexity and abundant detail, while being simultaneously fragile and delicate, yet powerful and resilient.

ARTIST TALK

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