On Saturday, February 2nd, Maria Evestus unveiled her latest exhibition, “Above Time”, at Victoria Olt Gallery. Evestus, a renowned painter and illustrator, invited viewers into her dreamlike world, where her unique artistic expression merges symbols from the past and present, encouraging visitors to explore the deeper layers of themselves.

Maria Evestus's works interpret the world, thick with layers of history, by blending symbols from different eras. Through her dreamlike, illustrative creations, she presents open-ended, timeless stories that, behind a nostalgic façade, call viewers to delve into their own inner depths. Her paintings are not just visuals but invitations to reflection.

"As an artist, I consciously engage with the collective subconscious of viewers through symbols that are nostalgically familiar, often derived from nature, fairy tales, and folklore. Sometimes, I mix these with elements of 20th and 21st-century pop culture," Evestus explained. Her use of familiar imagery helps to evoke a sense of connection, allowing viewers to explore emotions and memories linked to their own experiences.

An essential element of Evestus’s work is the carefully chosen, limited color palette and rhythm. Her primary inspiration comes from Nordic nature, with its inherent contrasts in both content and form. The interplay between simplicity and complexity, light and dark, creates a striking balance in her paintings, which are both visually and emotionally resonant.

Maria Evestus graduated from Tartu Art School and has held over 20 solo exhibitions, in addition to participating in more than 40 group shows in Estonia and Finland. Her artistic vision is heavily inspired by medieval and sacred art, mysticism, fairy tales, myths, pop surrealism, psychedelia, and the natural world. These diverse influences contribute to her distinctive style, combining elements from various epochs and traditions into a cohesive, yet layered, narrative.

The exhibition took place at Victoria Olt Gallery, located in the heart of Tallinn’s Old Town since February 2022. The gallery primarily focuses on young Estonian artists but also organizes exhibitions featuring intriguing new artists from abroad. Its mission is to bring more vibrant and inspiring art into public spaces and Estonian homes, making contemporary art more accessible and engaging.

The opening of the exhibition was accompanied by a performance titled “Green Threads”, by Japanese artist Wataru Yoshimoto. This performance explored themes of breakups and relationships with people who have come, gone, or remained in our lives. The work represented the uncontrollable nature of human relationships and how their duration is ultimately beyond our control.

Wataru Yoshimoto specializes in creating conceptual art that represents modern social phenomena and aspects that are common to people across cultures, using various mediums. In January 2023, he launched his latest art project, BLOTTO, which further explores contemporary societal themes.

With her latest exhibition, “Above Time”, Maria Evestus continues to captivate viewers, merging symbolism with personal reflection, and offering a dreamlike journey through the layered intersections of time, nature, and the subconscious.