Megaflowers and Tribalfoxes

Having returned to graphic art only in the last decade, Viik blends digital creation with elements of classical line-based aesthetics. His mythological “Tribalfoxes” are strange figures that merge animal and human forms on stark white paper. Their postures, gazes, and inner tensions stir layered rhythms in the viewer and provoke a multitude of interpretations. The artist describes his exhibition:

 
“The series title “Tribalfoxes” is a fusion of the words “tribal” and “werefoxes”. The series plays with visual forms as freely and irresponsibly as it does with meanings. Traits of clans, tribes and gangs are mixed together. The mythical werefox – a grand spirit of transformation – leaves its mark on the entire series, blurring the boundaries between the exotic and the mundane, the archaic and the urban, the sensual and the comical. The stylistic approach is deliberately restrained, limited to black, white, and orange. Although the graphics and the process behind them are entirely digital, the visual language leans toward classical line art, incorporating subtle, barely noticeable non-manual shifts. A keen eye may also detect the influence of comics, both in character design and in graphic style. Nevertheless, the narrative quality typical of comics remains in the background, with the emphasis placed instead on visual details.” 

The distinctive world of “Megaflowers and Tribalfoxes” will remain open at gallery Pallas until September 13. 

Urmas Viik (b 1961) is a printmaker, illustrator and installation artist. He has worked as a professor at Estonian Academy of Arts and Tallinn University. Viik has participated in exhibitions in nearly 30 countries and has received numerous awards: IV class Order of the White Star, The Kristjan Raud Art Award, Annual Awards of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Vaal Gallery Annual prize “Harpuun”, Eduard Wiiralt Prize, Silver Lovie Award in Website: Best Individual Editorial Experience. 

The exhibition is supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia. 

Additional information: 
Urmas Viik 
urmas.viik@artun.ee 
56566761 
www.urmasviik.ee