According to the artist, the global condition is an important influence on the works. In this exhibition, Matti Pärk presents illustrations for the literary works that have most inspired him. Although the pieces were created over a long period of time, they fit timelessly into contemporary themes and resonate with the world around us. The illustrations for Mats Traat’s poetry collection Ajalaulud were completed in 1985, but the artist finds the author’s texts still painfully relevant. The illustrations for a Catalan fairy tale collection date back to 1985, but for this exhibition, new interpretations are brought to life. The artist continues to find inspiration in the timeless truths and wisdom of fairy tales.
The artist is bundling up feelings and perceptions, the personal and the intimate, with the tensions in society. Portraits of his father, Rudolf Pärk, and illustrations completed in 1999 for his wife Aita Kivi’s poetry collection Tunde küsimus have found ever-new interpretations, inspired by people closest to him. As a separate subtheme, Pärk presents pastel paintings inspired by a 1932 oil painting of Pärnu Beach by Pallas artist Nigul Espe.
Matti Pärk: “Many years have passed since I created the illustrations (for Aarne Puu’s poetry collection Ring on nii pikk, Mats Traat’s poetry collection Ajaraamat, Aita Kivi’s poetry collection Tunde küsimus, and the Catalan fairy tale collection), and now I perceive the world differently. In large-scale works inspired by my earlier works (and by the texts in the books), I have reflected on contemporary issues.”
Graphic artist and illustrator Matti Pärk (1945) studied wood work at Tartu Art School in 1963–1969 and graphics at the Estonian State Art Institute in 1970–1976, graduating as a book illustrator and graphic artist. Pärk worked as a designer at the furniture factory Standard, as the head of the artistic editorial office at the publishing house Valgus in 1975–1984, as the artistic editor at the Estonian Encyclopaedia publishing house, and as the head of scientific editing for illustrations and cartography at ENE. Since 1984, Pärk has been a drawing teacher at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Pärk has illustrated and designed layouts, textbooks, reference books, fiction, and art books for nearly fifty years. He has participated in numerous exhibitions, both at home and abroad. Pärk has been a member of the Estonian Artists’ Association since 1989.
Exhibitions at Draakon Gallery are supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, the Estonian Ministry of Culture, and Liviko AS.
