“Hold me dearly” is a visual interpretation on the theme of children’s mental health. It was preceded by a collaboration project between the Victim Support and Prevention Services Department of the Social Insurance Board and Marta Vaarik where the artist conducted painting and collage workshops and group discussions with children in closed children’s institutions (KLAT). The exhibition presents the children’s thoughts, feelings and experiences through art and a short documentary film.
Children who have had a rough life will find their way into social services if they are lucky, which will sometimes be the first time they experience security and understanding from an adult. The people there give children space to analyse their experiences and give them time to open up, as often the children don’t understand they have been through abuse for it was simply everyday life for them.
The artist says: “Each one of us can be that one secure person in a child’s life that they really need. Let’s pay attention to others and have courage – let’s interact with the children in our neighbourhoods. If children are left alone with their troubles, the world will have big problems. Any one of us can be their nice neighbour or supermarket cashier, good teacher or just someone who believes them, helps, listens and cares. Studies that have focused on youths who have broken the law show that adults’ optimism towards young people’s ability to redeem their wrongdoings can help them change their lives.”
▻ In 2021, 663 (contact and non-contact) sexual offences involving underage victims
were registered. On average, the victim was 11 years of age (ERR, 2022).
▻ In 2020, social workers of local municipalities registered nearly 7000
enquiries associated with children (Children and Families Programme 2022-2025)
▻ One youth in five has contemplated suicide in Estonia.
Marta Vaarik is an interdisciplinary artist whose work reflects her life experiences and topics that are not socially accepted. She handles the issues very discreetly but will not compromise on her choice of topics. She graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts with a BA in Painting and MA in Contemporary Art.
Helplines: Children’s Support: +372 116 111 (24/7) / Victim Support: +372 116 006 (24/7)
The exhibition will be open until 5 March 2023.
The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia
We wish to thank: Siim Asmer, Indrek Kits, Henri Kutsar, Silver Marge
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