“Now, many years later, reading these words, I think about how well my thesis supervisor described me. I never know in advance what will happen to a painting. The work changes many times. Often nothing comes of it. But sometimes at some point the painting starts to lead me on and I just have to follow. Yes, I don’t want to depict the pain, evil and ugliness of the world. It’s not that I don’t care about it, but beauty and goodness have better influences. And beauty lies in people. When I paint and when the colours “come out”, everything somehow settles down and the pain subsides. I feel happy and peaceful. I want to share this happiness and peace with the viewer,” the artist explains.
Maire Aarsalu (b. 1961) is a painter and educator whose practice focuses primarily on landscape and figurative painting, exploring colour as an experiential and perceptual medium. Aarsalu teaches painting at the Tartu Higher Art School Pallas and the Tartu Art School, and mentors students at the Konrad Mägi Atelier. Alongside her pedagogical work, she is actively engaged in the contemporary art scene, closely connected to the activities of the Konrad Mägi Atelier, and has consistently exhibited in both group and solo exhibitions. She is a member of the Tartu Artists’ Union.
Graphic design: Grete Laidi Aarsalu
Alo Aarsalu helped design the exhibition.
The exhibition is being supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.
