The exhibition brings together two painters who share a passion for colour as a vital means of expression. Vano Allsalu’s and Liisa Jugapuu’s works share a sensitive approach to the complexities of colour, a boldly abstract visual language, and an organic way of painting, where the creative process naturally encompasses the entire surface of the canvas. Yet, it is not difficult to discern their differing and highly individual approaches in terms of technique, palette, and composition. This evolving interplay of similarities and differences over the years offers rich ground for professional dialogue, the observation of mutual influences, and creative intrigue.
The artists were also connected by a mentor-student relationship – Allsalu was Jugapuu’s painting professor at the Estonian Academy of Arts – and that relationship has since evolved into a professional dialogue between two artists from different generations. From time to time, they engage in interpreting each other’s works, delving into discussions that span from the grassroots of art to the intricate specifics of painting. These subtleties can often only be fully appreciated when standing in front of the works themselves, immersed in their “energy fields,” where visual and verbal expression converge.
In “Conversation in Colour,” the artists aim to create a dialogue of interplay, intersections, and contrasts – sparking broader discussion on the values and possibilities within the realm of painting. Undoubtedly, Allsalu’s and Jugapuu’s artwork invites contemplation on how an artist’s creative process and visual language are deeply intertwined with the emergence of colour on the canvas – and vice versa.
For Vano Allsalu, the immediate relationship with the material is of utmost importance as a painter. “One must not fear colour – just as a gardener should not shy away from soil, nor a sculptor from clay. When we take a piece of clay and start moulding it with our hands, the material is in constant flux, with forms continuously emerging and vanishing. Working with colours is similar – ‘moulding’ them until forms appear on the canvas. From non-representational material, something representational and meaningful takes shape,” the artist explains. “I’ve jokingly suggested that, in keeping with the modern trend of social media ‘influencers’ – known as ‘suunamudijad’ in Estonian – I could call myself a ‘värvimudija,’ or a ‘colour-shaper,’ playing on the idea of being a kind of influencer in the world of colour.”
Liisa Jugapuu likes to think of abstract art as a space of freedom. “There is no right or wrong, but colour and form create a unique world in each viewer’s mind. Something that has as many interpretations as there are viewers. It allows us to let go of the mindset of fear of failure that haunts us. The result on the canvas may not always provide answers, but rather pose questions that aim to stimulate the viewer’s creativity and inner dialogue.” She also considers the relationship between colours to be important, as it carries the meaning and emotion of the artwork. “This is my way of creating visual rhythm and tension, giving the piece its own voice and character. This process often leads me into unexpected directions, opening the door to the purest expression of creativity, which is not constrained by rational thoughts.”
Vano Allsalu (1967) graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts with a degree in painting (1991) and has worked as a painting instructor and mentor at the University of Tartu, the Estonian Academy of Arts, and Sally Studio. From 2013 to 2019, he served as the president of the Estonian Artists’ Association and is currently its vice president. He is also a member of the board of the Estonian Painters’ Association and several other art institutions. Allsalu’s works are in the collections of the Estonian Art Museum and the Tartu Art Museum, as well as in various private collections in Estonia and abroad. His artistic themes range from natural forces to mythological constructs and states of mind, touching on both the intimately personal and offering interpretations of cultural and social phenomena.
Liisa Jugapuu (1990) graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts with a degree in painting (BA 2015, MA 2017). She is a member of the Estonian Painters’ Association since 2016 and the Estonian Artists’ Association since 2017. Jugapuu has been exhibiting her work since 2012, with recent solo exhibitions at the Haapsalu City Gallery (2022) and ARS Project Space (2017). In 2016, she was selected as a finalist for the Young Painter Prize. Jugapuu’s style is characterised by vigorous brushwork and a strong sense of colour. Her seemingly spontaneous works, initially focused solely on an abstract painterly language, also contain figurative elements.
The artist talk will take place as part of the exhibition on 25th of September at 6 pm. The conversation will be led by art researcher, critic and curator Aleksander Metsamärt.
The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.
