By the age of three, Raivo already knew he wanted to become an artist. Drawing was a constant presence throughout his childhood, and his desire to further develop his skills eventually led him to study printmaking at the Estonian State Art Institute. His work as an illustrator and designer appeared in books, on postcards and on packaging, finding its way into thousands of homes. These commissions, combined with a television career spanning several decades, brought him widespread recognition. His ambitions as a freelance artist, however, reached even further.
The exhibition Inside the Picture traces Raivo Järvi’s development as an artist, encompassing the explorations, successes and setbacks that accompanied this journey. The selection of works ranges from childhood drawings and prints to illustrations and television work, as well as independent creative projects and experiments that reveal lesser-known facets of Järvi’s artistic style.
Preparing for this exhibition took us into dozens of homes across Estonia, where works by Raivo Järvi have hung on living room walls for years, becoming a part of people’s daily lives. Many of these are now being shown to the public for the first time, including pieces in which it is difficult to recognise the familiar “Uncle Raivo”. The Tartu Art Museum offers an opportunity to encounter Raivo Järvi as he would have hoped to be seen: as an artist.
Raivo Järvi (1954–2012) was an Estonian artist, radio and television presenter and politician. He graduated from Tallinn Secondary School No. 46 in 1973 and from the Estonian State Art Institute in 1979, specialising in printmaking. His work spanned the fields of children’s book illustrations, comics, poster art, graphic design and applied arts. His creative output has been a part of Estonian visual culture since the 1980s. To the general public, he was known as “Uncle Raivo” (Onu Raivo), a host of children’s television programmes. Besides his creative pursuits, he served as a member of the Riigikogu for several terms. Raivo Järvi was a recipient of the Order of the White Star.
Curator: Stella Mõttus
Exhibition design: Cloe Jancis
Graphic design: Viktor Gurov
Consultants: Hanna-Liis Kont and Eleriin Miilman
Coordinator: Rene Kriisa
Exhibition team: Rene Kriisa, Indrek Grigor, Nele Ambos, Joanna Hoffmann, Katariina Leets, Katrin Lõoke, Annegret Kriisa, Kristel Sibul, Geir Tristan Anton, Anti Saar, Peeter Talvistu and Richard Adang
Supporters: Tere AS
Thanks: The family, friends and acquaintances of Raivo Järvi, Allee Gallery, Estonian Academy of Arts Museum, Museum of Estonian Public Broadcasting, National Library of Estonia, University of Tartu Library, Kanal 2 and private collections
