In Estonian, there is a saying “vendadel on vendlus, õdedel on õelus”, which roughly means that there is a friendship / brotherhood in between brothers and malice / sisterhood in between sisters. It’s just a wordplay, since “õelus” means both malice and sisterhood. Anyhow, somehow the language has influenced the culture and if brothers are often seen as “shoulder to shoulder” companions then in sisterhood there is more concentration on the relations of conflict. Coming from this, there is a wish, that there would be a different word to describe sisterhood in Estonian; how to describe a brotherhood in between sisters?
In the exhibition “Sisters have sisterhood”/ “Õdedel on õelus” sisters-Mudists will share a gallery space for the first time. Johanna Mudist is well known for her paintings, in which she stands out in her very own color-code, technique and spot on tranquility. Katariin vice versa is known for her drawings and sculptures that always have some fine humor in them. In the ARS projectspace, Johanna’s meditative paintings meet Katariin’s playful installations, whose interplay characterizes both the two sisters themselves and their relationship.
In the exhibition, the artists delve into what being a sister means to them and what they mean to each other; how the dynamics, care, and closeness of sisterly relationships look and develop. In the exhibition space, however, they also seek a broader meaning of the word “sister.” In a wider cultural context, ‘sister’ also simply refers to another close woman, a friend, a community member, or a relative. Therefore, the artists direct the viewer’s gaze towards the phenomenon of ‘sisters and malice’ in a broader cultural context.
Exhibition team
Curator: Kerly Ritval
Exhibition designer: Alden Jõgisuu
Graphic design: Katariin Mudist
Thanks to Annely Köster, Alan Voodla, Maria Elise Remme and Eva Nava.
The exhibition and opening are supported by the Estonian Cultural Endowment, Estonian Artist Union, Sally Stuudio, Uninaks AS, Muddis Brewery and Punch drinks.
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Johanna Mudist (1991) was three years old when she became a sister. In her paintings she deals with human interactions, relations and with a sense of belonging and isolation. She has master`s degree in painting in the Estonian Academy of Arts (2017) and Tartu Art Collage Pallas (2014) she has studied abroad through the Erasmus program in Finland (2013) and Poland (2016). Johanna is a member of the Estonian Artists Association (2019) and the Estonian Painters Association (2018).
Katariin Mudist (1994) has also been Johanna’s sister for 29 years. In Katariin’s work, she explores humanity’s different facets and manifestations in our social world. She is undertaking a Master’s degree in the Craft Studies program at the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA), where her research is focused on searching for a common language between visual and material-focused art practices. In 2022, she graduated with a Master’s degree from the Contemporary Art Department at EKA and in 2018 she graduated from the Media and Advertising Design Department of the Pallas University of Applied Sciences. During her studies, she has been a visiting student at KASK in Ghent and Moholy-Nagy in Budapest. Katariin is a member of The Estonian Artists’ Association, Estonian Association of Young Contemporary Artists and Association of Estonian Printmakers.
