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THE BOUNDS OF BOUNDARIES

At the solo exhibition THE BOUNDS OF BOUNDARIES, Maarja Niinemägi presents sculptural rings that extensively combine materials and technologies, such as titanium, buffalo horn, ebony, engraving, riveting, and anodizing. The creation of large-scale abstract jewellery is a creative practice that plays with the boundaries of design and jewellery art – a journey the artist started already in 2005. Maarja Niinemägi writes:

“I seek a shape that does not directly allude to the ring, a form distinct from the conventional. A ring could be a piece of art even when not worn on a finger.

 Unaware of the dimensions of the jewellery piece while looking at a photo of it, a person may be surprised by its actual size in real life. I aim to design these rings playfully keeping in mind the function of a ring but evading the limits of its traditional form. 

My desire is to develop and discover nuances inside the shapes forming the rings. The rings can be worn and viewed as independent objects, connecting small details and designs – creating philosophical landscapes. On each ring a small story sets a scene.”

The exhibition is funded with the help of Estonian Cultural Endowment.


Maarja Niinemägi is a jewellery artist and designer based in Tartu. She has participated in exhibitions since 1997, leading her to various parts of the world, including Europe, China, America, and Australia. Niinemägi obtained her education in jewellery art from the Estonian Academy of Arts, where she earned her master’s degree in arts with honours in 2008. As an exchange student and intern in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, she also acquired skills in gemstone engraving. Her works are part of the collection of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, the Alice and Louis Koch Ring Collection in Switzerland, and other private collections in Estonia and abroad. Maarja Niinemägi has been a member of the Estonian Artists’ Association since 2011 and the Estonian Association of Designers since 2014.

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MOURNING CLOAK BUTTERFLY. MOURNING CLOAK BUTTERFLY.

Mourning Cloak Butterfly wakes up early from its winter slumber, sleeps deep through midsummer, and remains awake for a long time in autumn.

Already in early childhood Ülle encountered the miraculous Mourning Cloak Butterfly.

The elderly paid attention to the butterfly as well.

The child could not yet grasp the meaning of its name, as only a delicate shadow was cast by it on the winged beauty.

Emotions and knowledge attached with time passing.

Gratitude to the dear departed ones remains.

The dark side of earthly beings, their envy and greed, are grief-worthy, not the dread before the unknown light. In this world, the Mourning Cloak Butterfly crosses forests and seas, luxuriates in the sun on a blooming meadow, and sucks up the juice and time given to it. With the Universe’s kind permission, journeys through the warmth of summer and the cold winter. Circling in a never ending pursuit of happiness.

The sun caresses people because they are so beautiful and kind.

Dear companions choose between light and shadow.

With the arrival of winter, the Milky Way in the sky, one can travel along it.

And people are so beautiful and kind… Hope remains.

ÜLLE VOOSALU

Ülle Voosalu’s exhibition MOURNING CLOAK BUTTERFLY celebrates the 70th anniversary of the jewelry artist from Tartu, Estonia. Voosalu graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts from the metalworking department in 1980 and soon after began exhibiting in 1981. She has worked as an artist at Tartu ARS and as a lecturer at Pallas University of Applied Sciences. Since 2001, she has been working as a freelance jewelry artist. Voosalu is a member of the Estonian Artists’ Association. The artist creates jewelry in an outstanding author’s technique, combining silver wire and gemstones into variously structured clusters. Her jewelry embodies wild joy of life and love for the beauty of nature. She crafts her pieces with the best wishes for the wearer.

The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.

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NEVER AFTER

A shirt from a lover

A gift from a friend

A few stitches from an other

A path without an end …

Decaeon has come to stay.

“Never again!” she swore as she disappeared into the waves.

NEVER AFTER – an installation about an endless winter. 

The exhibition consists of jewelry and objects inspired by decorative techniques from the Mediterranean. Rich colors and the decadent charm of the abundance of material reflect the desire for eternal life: suffocating and charming at the same time, like the bittersweet love from fairy tales …as much a balm as a poison.

In these works, curses and eternal love are intertwined, sharing a glimpse into a drowning world where memories of better days are all there is.

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Pilvi Tammoja is an Estonian interdisciplinary artist. She has a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and a master’s degree in jewellry art (cum laude) from the Estonian Academy of Arts. At the core of Tammoja’s opulent, space-burying installations are masterfully crafted, detailed works whose materials vary from silk thread to cast iron.

The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.

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A-Gallery’s annual art jewellery exhibition SPARK

Annual exhibition 2023 by jewellery artists on the WINDOWS and in the VAULT of A-Galerii

On Friday, December 1, at 6:00 PM, A-Galerii will open the jewellery art exhibition SPARK in the VAULT and on the WINDOWS, reflecting the moods and trends of 2023. The exhibition showcases 45 different artists and most of the work is presented for the first time ever. The exhibition is designed by sculptor Anna Mari Liivrand.

The annual exhibition is like a spark admits of all the shine that jewellery artists have created and continue to create. A spark concentrates all the light into one point and then scatters it tirelessly. Mere sparkle, which may seem like superficial glitter, sometimes becomes a source of great comfort.

A spark can freeze time, it becomes a wonderful moment in the uninterruptible flow of time. Eureka! Clarity and discovery… what every creative soul seeks. Finding it gives birth to something unique, something that brings peace to the soul, inspiring action.

The gentle tinkling of silver, the brilliance of a diamond on a finger, or the sharp gleam from a stranger’s gold tooth all hold a unique surprise. The spark on a piece of jewellery is an exclamation point that elevates the whole. The SPARK exhibition, bringing together all artists of A-Galerii, aims to beautifully conclude the year as well.

The exhibition is funded with the help of: Estonian Cultural Endowment, Nautimus, Bohemian Wine and Art

Designer of the exhibition: Anna Mari Liivrand

Exhibition coordinator: Sille Luiga

The list of participants: Adolfas Šaulys, Agnes Veski, Aino Kapsta, Ane Raunam, Anneli Oppar, Anni Kagovere, Egle Sitkauskaite, Eilve Manglus, Elis Liivo, Ene Valter, Erle Nemvalts, Guntis Lauders, Hansel Tai, Henry Mardisalu, Ivar Kaasik, Ive-Maria Köögard, Kadi Kübarsepp, Kadi Veesaar, Kärt Summatavet, Katariina Kriipsalu, Kati Erme, Keesi Kapsta, Kertu Tuberg, Kertu Vellerind, Krista Laos, Krista Lehari, Liina Lelov, Liisbeth Kirss, Margit Paulin, Mari Pärtelpoeg, Mari Relo-Šaulys, Merike Balod, Raili Vinn, Riin Somelar, Sille Luiga, Tamara Sergijenko, Tea Vellerind, Triin Kukk, Ülle Kõuts, Ülle Voosalu, Ulrika Paemurru, Urve Küttner, Valdek Laur, Viktorija Lillemets, Yu Fang Hu