07.03.-24.05.2026
The more industrial the living environment becomes, the less untouched nature remains for all people to use, the more central a place landscape painting occupies as a theme in contemporary painting – both in Estonia and internationally. Landscape as a motif dominates, for example, in the more recent paintings of Anselm Kiefer and David Hockney, to name the most important painting luminaries in the world. At Estonian art auctions, it is the landscape-focused paintings of Konrad Mägi and the marines of Richard Uutmaa that set price records. Against the backdrop of turbulent times and the uncertainty of world affairs, landscape has a safe effect as an artistic subject, while at the same time allowing for all sorts of associations, interpretations and references. According to an expanded definition, landscape can be a metaphor representing the human body (Rene Kari's documentation of aging, Mari Roosvalt's study of the different personas of a worker in power structures), or for visualizing and mapping what happens in (human) consciousness, the so-called inner space (Art Brut artist Liina Kalvik intuitively mapping her own world, Urve Küttner
experimenting with metal corrosion, Merle Luhaääre with her Mark Rothko-like carpet "Red Forgetfulness", etc.)
The organizers do not limit the artists' choices, even our ideals can differ 180 degrees. The exhibition features art veterans (Uno Roosvalt, Anne Parmasto, Einar Vene, Mati Kütt, Piret Rohusaar, Jarõna Ilo, Andrus Rõuk, Lilian Mosolainen, Valev Sein, Stanislav Antipov, Tiina Tammetalu, Sirje Petersen, Kai Kaljo, Marju Bormeister, Erki Kasemets, Tiiu Rebane, Andres Sütevaka, Philiph Arvo Luik, QBA, Leho Rubis, etc.) as well as newcomers – Ingmar Roomets, Liis Koger, Manfred Vainokivi, Anna Kõuhkna, Riina Degtjarenko, Paul Beaudoin, Liivia Leshkin, etc.
If for a vacationer the ideal landscape is a beautiful sandy beach and a bay with crystal clear water (Silver Laad's "Horses", Mirjam Hinni's "Koobaltunelm", Vano Allsalu's "Ideal Landscape", etc.), but for example for Siram Mari Kartau and Margus Tiitsmaa the ideal is farmland involved in economic activities – "Heinapallid Kiledemaal" and “Soemägi” bring to mind Ludmilla Siimu’s metaphysical “Heavy Haul” from 1974. In Kartau’s painting “N:59,354 E:24,937 JÜRI”, however, the landscape is seen more from the perspective of a
beaver building water barriers.
For a member of the Estonian Defence League, sandy slopes stretched through defensive ditches are ideal, just as an active soldier sees the Nursipalu training ground in his dream (Karl-Erik Talvet’s battle scenes, Margus Mäge’s “Border Post”, Karl-Kristjan Nagel’s “Ägala Joa Bitcoin Mill”, etc.).
Ideal landscapes as a theme inspired artists – the EML annual exhibition is setting a record this year – over 100 authors are exhibited. Taste is debated,
and how else – the exhibition, rich in different artistic positions, invites you – to meet in the exhibition halls!
Jaan Elken, curator and exhibition designer
Artists:
Vano Allsalu, Stanislav Antipov, Ivi Arrak, Asteria, Paul Beaudoin, Kadri Bormeister, Marju Bormeister, Cristelll Cristelll, Riina Degtjarenko, Jaan Elken, Herlet Elvisto, Tiina Erala, Eve Ermann, Pille Ernesaks, Lemme Haldre, Mirjam Hinn, Kaia Hommik, Jarõna Ilo, Sergei Inkatov, Kristiina Jakimenko, Ashot Jegikjan, Liisa Jugapuu, Kristjan Juusu, Ly Kaalma, Kaie Kal, Toomas Kal, Kalli Kalde, Kai Kaljo, Liina Kalvik, Anniki Kari, René Kari, Siram Mari Kartau, Kristine-Kristi Kasak, Erki Kasemets, Liis Koger, Eve Kruuse, Liisa Kruusmägi, Piret Kullerkupp, Anna Kõuhkna, Andro Kööp, Tiia Külv, Mati Kütt, Urve Kyttner, Silver Laadi, Tarrvi Laamann, Silvi Lepparu, Liia Leppik, Liivia Leškin, Eneli Luiga, Philiph Arvo Luik, Ene Luik-Mudist, Merle Luhaäär, Ivika Luisk, Liia Lüdig-Algvere, Helle Lõhmus, Vitali Makar (MACARI), Andrei Maksimjuk, Margus Meinart, Maret Melder, Lilian Mosolainen, Marju Must, Peeter Must, Anu Muiste, Margus Mäe, Karl-Kristjan Nagel, Kairit Orgusaar, Riin Pallon, Anne Parmasto, Sirje Petersen, Sirje Piir, Tiit Priidel, Pusa, Lii Pähkel, QBA, Andrus Raag, Marita Rebane, Tiiu Rebane, Riina Rillo, Piret Rohusaar, Ingmar Roomets, Mari Roosvalt, Uno Roosvalt, Rait Rosin, Leho Rubis, Andrus Rõuk, Kaia Rähn, Valev Sein, Kaja Sikk, Sandra Sirp, Anatoli Strahhov, Maret Suurmets Kuura, Andres Sütevaka, Santa Zukker, Karl-Erik Talvet, Merike Tamm, Tiina Tammetalu, Lola Tehver, Jane Tiidelepp, Margus Tiitsmaa, Heli Tuksam, Maris Tuuling, Maria-Kristiina Ulas, Priit Vaher, Manfred Vainokivi, Julia Valtanen, Eve Valper, Einar Vene.
Exhibition organization: Jaan Elken / Tiiu Rebane / Marie Virta (UKM)
Exhibition supported by: Cultural Endowment of Estonia and City of Pärnu
