Olev Subbi’s oeuvre was very sensitive in the 1960s and 1970s, and kept evolving internally and in the nuances of colour. The artist seemingly painted himself to spiritual and creative freedom. The predominant desire that the artist displayed was to paint shifts in space-time, mixing reality with something from the master’s dreams and recollections. In these painted ideal worlds, the artist tried to find universal human virtues in the harsh reality of Soviet Estonia. Dedication to his unique style and thorough analysis of his subject matter earned him the greatest recognition in life.

Photo: Stanislav Stepaško