This year, the largest annual group exhibition of Estonian jewellery art turns its focus to values. At a time when value is so often reduced to numbers, the artists highlight other forms of worth – those shaped by collaboration, community, and the relationships that emerge in shared space. The exhibition brings together works by A-Galerii’s community alongside artists who have recently engaged with jewellery from new angles, creating a meeting point across generations and backgrounds.
The exhibition design by artist Karl Joonas Alamaa features soft figurative objects made from leftover garment textiles, combined with organic wooden and metal structures. It intertwines jewellery with sculptural forms and invites reflection on the role of jewellery amid the complexities of being human and living through sharply contrasting crises.
The title “One to Many” points to the tension between valuing uniqueness and universality, carrying an ironic undertone: whatever, just one among many. Each artwork becomes a small world of its own, a question and a possible answer. In a large group exhibition, seemingly similar parts multiply and individuality may blur, yet something distinctly original still emerges, offering new perspectives and unexpected shifts.
The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.
Curator: Sille Luiga
Exhibition design: Karl Joonas Alamaa
Graphic design: Villem Sarapuu
64 artists: Mirjam Aun, Andrei Balašov, Merike Balod, Jens Andreas Clausen, Margus Elizarov, Rita-Livia Erikson, Kati Erme, Elize Hiiop, Tatiana Iakovleva, Hedi Jaansoo, Ivar Kaasik, Keesi Kapsta, Mari Käbin, Liisi Kõuhkna, Keiu Koppel, Ülle Kõuts, Kalle Kotselainen, Olga Tea Krek, Kadi Kübarsepp, Triin Kukk, Valdek Laur, Kristiina Laurits, Krista Lehari, Claudia Lepik, Viktorija Lillemets, Elis Liivo, Urmas Lüüs, Keiu Maasik, Tõnis Malkov, Henry Mardisalu, Ülle Mesikäpp, Juulia Aleksandra Mikson, Paul Aadam Mikson, Maarja Niinemägi, Erle Nemvalts, Ulrika Paemurru, Õnne Paulus, Margit Paulin, Mari Pärtelpoeg, Darja Popolitova, Ane Raunam, Anne Reinberg, Mari Relo-Šaulys, Liisa-Chrislin Saleh, Tamara Sergijenko, Kairi Sirendi, Birgit Skolimowski, Riin Somelar, Kärt Summatavet, Hansel Tai, Sven Tali, Harry Tensing, Margus Tänav, Bianca Triinu Toots, Kertu Tuberg, Maria Valdma-Härm, Ene Valter, Katrin Veegen, Kadi Veesaar, Kertu Vellerind, Tea Vellerind, Raili Vinn, Ülle Voosalu
Exhibition THE RAZZLE DAZZLE OF INFINITE GIRLHOOD defies a world where outdated and monotonous views on gender roles, beauty ideals, and mental and physical maturity still dominate. The jewellery inspired by girlhood expands concepts introduced in Kirss’s master’s thesis, titled MY FRIENDS ARE BIMBOS.
“I don’t infantilize myself when I say, ‘I’m just a girl!’ Because to be infinitely girly is to be playful, caring, and passionate! Charli XCX has labeled this the brat summer— we’re all a bit broken, anxious, and constantly in a hurry, but the best time to start living is now and right here.
So, call your friends, go to a party, cry in the bathroom, click around in high heels, throw pajama parties, stick a poster of your favorite artist on the wall, get a belly button piercing, be cringe! The world needs more girls; fortunately, each of us has one inside… find that girl!” exclaims Liisbeth Kirss.
Liisbeth Kirss (1996) is a jewellery artist who primarily focuses on decorative dental covers, also known as grillz. Her work is inspired by girlhood, female friendships, parties, and her hometown. In 2023, she graduated with a master’s degree in jewelry design from the Estonian Academy of Arts. Kirss is mainly based in Pärnu, the summer capital of Estonia, popularizing grillz and running a feminist bar for babes called KRÕHVA.
Exhibition AIMLESS AURORAS OF MIDLIFE MUNDANITY is a humorous, self-ironic reflection on the absurdity of subcultures glorifying primal masculinity. Guided by the principle of sympathetic magic, the works—primarily depicting bull testicles—highlight extreme male stereotypes. The crafted regalia comments on the dubious motives and worldviews of influencers promoting masculine ideals. Diving into the shallow world of life coaches on social media can be detrimental to health, devastating to close relationships, and dangerous to society at large. Through his works, Laur opposes such alpha male prophets by ridiculing their concepts. “Masculinity has become a cosmetic caricature, where external aspects transform into the essence of the bearer. A proper man has plenty of money, expensive cars, a villa in Spain (or at least a manor in Läänemaa), tasteless gold chains and rings, a gym six-pack, and an obedient wife. What should those men do who don’t want to be conquerors, leaders, or superheroes? What if I don’t like resolving disputes with fists, can’t make money, have a wife who barks back, and a fear of needles excludes even getting tattoos? Am I even a real man? If I make myself regalia worthy of Andrew Tate or Joe Rogan, will I become more masculine? If I ate the testicles of Jordan Peterson or Mihkel Kunnus, would I have hope of becoming a man? Or do I still just need to tidy my room and go to the gym?” asks Valdek Laur.
Valdek Laur is an artist working in both jewellery and metal art as well as digital art. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Jewellery and Blacksmithing department of the Estonian Academy of Arts and a degree in advertising and media from Tallinn University. Laur has exhibited his works in solo and group exhibitions in Estonia, Latvia, and elsewhere in Europe. His main interests include prehistoric mythologies, speculative political science, and futurology. Laur has published articles on technology and generative machine learning models and is a lecturer at the Tallinn School of Economics and the Estonian Academy of Arts.
From July 28, the exhibition LOOPS by Valdek Laur will be open in the VAULT of A-Galerii. The exhibition is free of charge for all visitors. The exhibition will stay open until September 2.
Exhibition LOOPS presents Valdek Laur’s commentary on the feedback loops created by cultural norms and stereotypes, which have influenced humanity throughout the ages. By intertwining science fiction and fantasy with history and myths, he seeks alternatives to contemporary ways of existence. In his work, Laur employs iron, bronze and silver casting, along with 3D printing.
The world is in perpetual flux. Countless feedback-amplified trends, or loops, are evolving, engaged in constant power struggles. Thoughts influence opinions and provoke actions, which in turn shapes the future. Thoughts and actions that find support gain strength and transform into ideologies. However, how often do we truly contemplate the direction of our worldview?
Ideologies profoundly impact culture, both in substance and form. Every symbol, sign, and word carries building blocks of meaning, which create jokes, stories and movies, but also belief systems, and mythologies. Each shape, material, and composition represents a belief and has its own field of meaning. At times, these fields resonate with societal attitudes, while at other times, they fade and slumber. Amplifying or, conversely, suppressing beliefs is one of the only few ways we, as individuals, can genuinely contribute to shaping the future. Hence, we must ask ourselves, what is the ultimate destination of our supported path? What do we actually strive for?
Valdek Laur is a multidisciplinary artist based in Estonia, intertwining 3D modelling, jewellery art, and sculpture. He is fascinated by prehistoric myths, speculative political science, and futurology. Laur has published articles, delivered lectures, and voiced opinions on the societal impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning. He holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising and media from Tallinn University and in blacksmithing from the Estonian Academy of Arts. His works have been exhibited in solo and group shows in Estonia, Latvia, and Germany.
Vaida SuitsVaida SuitsMart Kekišev, Kairin KoovitLiina Lelov, Valdek LaurAdolfas Šaulys, Mari Relo-ŠaulysAdolfas Šaulys, Mari Relo-Šaulys
They know themselves, move in parallel, bubble into pink slime and keep on going.
LOVERS areVaida Suits, Mart Kekišev + Kairin Koovit, Liina Lelov + Valdek Laur, Adolfas Šaulys + Mari Relo-Šaulys
FROM TIME TO TIME Vaida Suits
Vaida Suits (b. 1931) is an Estonian metal artist, whose dynamic work is characterised by a labour-intensive process, Art Nouveau forms and extremely fine skills in traditional techniques. Still, her signature style is always clearly defined and even laconic. Suits was the only woman working at the ARS Art Products Factory in steel engraving and later as a designer, creating both unique series as well as extensive commissions for institutions in Estonia and elsewhere in Soviet Union. Working as a jewellery designer at the Tallinn Fashion House her work was well received also in fashion shows in London, an extraordinary achievement for a designer from the Soviet Union. Praised for her impeccable work ethic and an original style, Suits has taken part in exhibitions from the Balkans to Norway and from Italy to Mongolia. Her works are in the collections of the Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art in Moscow and the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design.
As a tribute to Vaida Suits’ creative life of more than half a century, A-Gallery is displaying in its two windows rings, bracelets, necklaces and objects created from the 1960s onwards. There are examples of filigree, embossment, and engraving, as well as compositions of various materials.
TOGETHER Mart Kekišev, Kairin Koovit
The material is composed of two elements, joined together and moving in unison, exploring boundaries between two people and possibilities for togetherness. The works are made of Damascus steel and in the mokume-gane technique.
Mart Kekišev studied at the Department of Jewellery and Blacksmithing at the Estonian Academy of Arts. For the last ten years he has worked as a freelance metal artist. For the past five years Kekišev has worked as a blacksmithing teacher in a vocational school. Last autumn he began his Master’s studies at the Department of Jewellery and Blacksmithing at the Estonian Academy of Arts.
Kairin Koovit studied at the Department of Jewellery and Blacksmithing at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She has participated in exhibitions both in Estonia and internationally. Koovit has been an intern at Peter de Wit’s and Margareth Sandström’s studio. In 2011 she received the Roman Tavast Young Jewellery Artist Stipend and since 2012 works as artist and designer at Roman Tavast.
Pink bubble oozes both pink spittle and pink slime – everything that is kind-hearted, tolerant and happy. Pink spittle has always existed, but only found its material form in May last year, when it became necessary to remind people that there is nothing wrong with living in a pink bubble. And so, the meaning of this derogatory term was flipped and converted into something positive and joyful.By now pink spittle has found its way to Sweden, Tunisia and the US, been part of countless protests, conferences, events, and been pinned onto the chests of many prominent suspicious elements.
The window exhibition at A-Gallery concludes the material journey of pink spittle. These are the last of spittles and slimes that ooze into the real world from the pink bubble. It is only appropriate that the symbol’s final presentation takes place in the only art jewellery gallery in Estonia. Very soon, everything goes back to normal again.
Pink spittle is created by jewellery artist Liina Lelov and Valdek Laur, a student at Department of Jewellery and Blacksmithing at the Estonian Academy of Arts.
LIFE 100 Mari Relo-Šaulys, Adolfas Šaulys
“Our good friends noted a few days ago that, our ages combined, we are now 100 years old.A+M=100
The exhibition highlights two significant traits of our joint work. One is exemplified by the socially critical exhibition “Viva la Vida!” (2005), part of our home pharmacies series, and the other by “Kaks õuna” (Two Apples, 2020), commenting on the show “ELU 100″ (LIFE 100), and continuing the tradition of gilding everyday objects”.
“The artists’ first larger joint exhibition „Viva la Vida!“ (2005, A-Gallery, currently Hop) focused on the high number of pharmacies in the city. The artists asked if it is better or even safer to live in a city, where galleries, theatres, cinemas and small businesses are replaced by pharmacies. Does the hope of immortality and taking right pills to alleviate lesser or worse ills makes us happier?” – Ketli Tiitsar
Mari Relo Šaulys and Adolfas Šaulys are Estonian jewellery artists, whose remarkable joint work has been well received both in Estonia and internationally. They have had 15 joint exhibitions and have together received the Ede Kurrel Prize from the Association of Metal Artists of Estonia in 2005, the Annual Award of the Estonian Cultural Endowment in 2010, and A-Gallery’s Vault Room Exhibition Prize in 2015. In 2002 they won the competition “Amber in Interiors” organised by the gallery of the Palanga Amber Museum.
