Gobelin Exhibition by Ehalill Halliste
inspired by the cross-sections of the national stone of Estonia

December 8, 2019 - February 9, 2020

Deep in the limestone under my feet is the swash of seashells,
But I am allowed to smooth just the silence on its face.
Ellen Niit. Song of Limestone,1965

Ehalill Halliste picktures limestone surfaces sintered in sea bottom during millions of years and weaves the structures and ornaments of limestone – the national stone of Estonia – into her gobelins. It is a vivid documentation depicting surprisingly variegated composition and palette of colours.
Some time ago I was looking for a good idea for a monument f or a dear person of great mind, from publications about limestone. I also found inspiring substance for my gobelins – Estonian limestone cross-sections.
Ehalill Halliste (born in 1948) studied textile art at the National Art Institute of Estonia in 1971-1976. After working at ARS and also as a teacher, since 2002 she is a freelancer. She has been given lots of prizes, among others also the honour of the White Star.

On May, 4, 1992 Limestone was declared the national stone of Estonia. Especially, because of the Lasnamägi building limestone, which reveals in the North-Estonian cliff. The building limestone is not colourful but it is possible to paint marvellous patterns of stone that seems just gray at first glance.
Kalle Suuroja: ABC of Stones/ Estonian Rocks 2004

Limestone is Estonian national stone that enriches oour nature and culture. Without it we would not have the churches, manors, living houses in towns or many other limestone buildings as they appear to be. Limestone buildings are self-evident, especially in North-Estonia. We realise its importance usually only when facing history, building our home or searching a souvenir to act as a brand of Estonia.
Helle Perens: Limestone in Estonian Building 2003

Trails of life in rocks lead us to secrets of the history of the Earth, to the ancient springs of life. At the other end of the river flowing out of these springs stands man himselt
Rein Raudsepp

The Museum of New Art
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Esplanaadi 10, Pärnu
www.mona.ee

Drawings by Jüri Arrak

November 19, 2019 - January 19, 2020

"Showing his most intimate drawings in public, Arrak insures his status as "immortal," said Mark Soosaar seeing the exhibition in Tallinn. "I suspected Jüri to win a place in the art history of world one day, as I saw his first exhibition through the windows of the art salon in Tallinn one night in the late sixties. Now he has really done it," said Soosaar.

At the exhibition in the Museum of New Art aeonian landscapes vary with ever-present conflicts between living creatures. This is the visual bible of the 21st century, about which art historian Tamara Luuk has said:
"Landscapes in Jüri Arrak’s artworks are presented temporarily, usually just as back-cloth. In advanced age he has done solely a landscape very rarely, but in the years of apprenticeship and on earlier trips as an exercise for his hand. Preparations for the exhibition began from the intention to reduce the significance of the so called ’symbolic persons’ who have declared cosmic truths for long years, and expand the unselfish spirit of life of the city- and landscapes in Arrak’s new drawings. To reflect the talent and crafts of the artist, speaking about his profession silently but sparkingly. Unforunately the curator’s intentions and the artist’s efforts proved a failure, producing a result, put into words by Arrak, without any sorrow, as follows: "An old man does not learn new tricks."

Finally, we made a choice of his drawings of the last five years. If it seems a bit diverse, the author has said consolingly: "There certainly is a link between them and that is me."

The landscapes at this exhibition are wonderfully accomplished exercises for hand and eye made in different times in the Kola Peninsula, Carpathians, Vietnam and France. There are lots of ample valleys and lakes, castles and fortresses where the artist’s hand has tried to capture the grandness seen by eyes, and where the artist’s philosophy does not dictate the semantic field.

Jüri Arrak has worked as freelancer since 1969, next to painting, his artworks consist of graphic art and drawings, illustrations, jewellery, medals, blankets, decorations for films, also numerous speeches and writings – a phenomenon of monologues."

Exhibition IMMORTAL is open from November, 19, 2019 to January, 19, 2020.


The Museum of New Art
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Esplanaadi 10, Pärnu
www.mona.ee