The wind, 1981

Lithography 37/40. Marked paper size

In the foreground of the artwork is a desk, with large, sturdy ash trees swaying in the wind as the background. A thin rectangular line emerges from the corner of the desk, resembling a transparent window frame, as if nothing separates the room from nature.

In the 2022 Herald Eelma catalogue “Time and Line”, the artist reflects on the work “The Wind”, recalling Möldri village on Saaremaa, where he and his family sought peace in uncertain times. Escaping the city provided a refuge, especially as Tallinn streets filled with more Russian speakers and political unrest grew.

Möldri, a serene coastal village, offered the perfect sanctuary. Life moved slowly, with most residents being pensioners tied to the land and old traditions. Yet, the village was full of colorful characters and memorable places. Among them was Jöpi Elli, a straightforward and energetic mother of a large family who, despite health issues, kept her home lively. One man, with a special connection to music and nature, placed numerous starling nest boxes around his house, ensuring that alongside the sounds of seabirds, starling songs filled the air. In the coastal area of the village stood an old windmill, tilted by storms, yet held upright by a mighty oak, still supporting two heavy millstones. Jopi’s unique mill, which secretly ground grain at night, and the forgotten Simu watermill, whose wooden structures caught the attention of heritage conservationists, served as time markers, reminding of eras when life followed its own logic, independent of the outside world.

As time passed, the summer home, Uie-Intsu captain’s house, was re-thatched, and the artist’s attic studio with a sea view was completed. Here, the artist continued to enjoy creative peace. The work is accompanied by the quote: “The first guest to appear on my table was the wind, which raged outside the window, bending the long, flexible ash tree branches.”