Exhibition Views 2015

November 6, 2015-February 28, 2016, Adamson-Eric Museum 
Torii Rei was born in 1952. In 1974, he graduated from the Musashino Art University, and has since worked as a freelance Nihonga artist and writer. He has studied Japanese legends and traditional culture for more than 30 years. The artist is fascinated by ancient vernacular culture, especially by the era before the arrival of Buddhism, Chinese hieroglyphics and Confucianism. He has been inspired by the twirling designs of the pottery of the Jōmon Era (14 000 BC), as well as by the classical Japanese paintings (yamato-e) of the Heian period (794–1185). The exquisite aesthetics of his works, achieved by the masterful application of classical Japanese painting techniques, is based on the study of and reflection on Japan’s ancient vernacular culture, mythology and traditions, which date back thousands of years. Torii’s works are contemporary reflections of Japanese mentality and spirituality. Speaking of his art, Torii Rei has explained that he prefers to look towards early Japanese art and traditional culture for new creative approaches, in order to overcome the anthropocentrism, and to convey the unity of humans and nature. The abundant mythological heritage, which fascinates Torii Rei, especially the fact that it is rooted in nature worship and is expressed through a deep respect for natural forces and an attempt to find harmony between mankind and the universe, provides the opportunity to look for similarities in the mentality of Estonians and Japanese.

Kurators: Kersti Koll (Art Museum of Estonia) and Taimi Paves (Ars Orientalis)
Designer: Inga Heamägi
Graphic designer: Külli Kaats

July 10-October 25, 2015, Adamson-Eric Museum 
Even though the heyday of Allsalu’s work was from the 1960s to the 1980s – the period during which public attitudes were imbued with Soviet propaganda and free creative thinking was frowned upon – his works clearly show that he was a truly talented artist. Even in the case of works that deal with the topic of labour in a key typical of the era, we can sense the artist’s warm attitude towards the characters going about their business at a construction site or factory, and find wry humour inserted into the paintings (e.g. “Working People” 1967 and “Young People” 1968). In the pieces “Red Crane” (1967) and “Chess – the Royal Game” (1977), we witness Allsalu’s mastery of generalisation and the usage of symbolic images.
A noteworthy chapter in Allsalu’s oeuvre is comprised of expressive and unique character portraits of contemporary great minds. Living and working in the university town of Tartu, with its active culture and science scene, was a favourable environment for the formation of professional contacts and friendships. Authors, artists, actors, scientists and many other companions opened up to Allsalu as colourful personalities in the course of their long discussions. The paintings record such legendary Estonian cultural activists as the linguist Villem Ernits, the writer Aira Kaal, the actor Jaan Kiho, the artist Elmar Kits, the actor Leonhard Merzin, the actor and singer Helend Peep, and the actor Lembit Saarts.

Curator: Ülle Kruus
Designer: Inga Heamägi

April 10-June 28, 2015, Adamson-Eric Museum 
The exhibition focuses on representations in Estonian art of the emancipated, modern, socially active woman with professional aspirations in the last years of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century. According to the curator Kersti Koll, the display is centred around educated and sophisticated Estonian women who were active in different areas of life, as well as on the image of the “new, modern woman” in contemporary Estonian art, which was a popular subject in the international art scene of that era. Through the eyes of several well-known Estonian artists, we can admire outstanding women in our society and cultural history, as well as charming changes in fashion, urban lifestyle, accessories, attitudes and hobbies of different decades.

Curator: Kersti Koll
Designer: Liina Siib
Graphic designers: Liina Siib and Kätlin Tischler