Jaanus Samma

Jaanus Samma, born in 1982, is a prominent figure in the Estonian contemporary art scene. A significant highlight in his career was when he represented Estonia at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015 with his project "NSFW. A Chairman's Tale." In 2013, he was honored with the Köler Prize by the Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia, a testament to his impact on the Estonian art scene and beyond.

Jaanus Samma's solo exhibitions have been well-received both at home and abroad. These include "Outhouse by the Church" at Nomas Foundation in Rome, "Sõnumid – Viestejä" at The Aine Art Museum in Tornio, and "Divider" at Temnikova & Kasela in Tallinn, among others. 

Jaanus Samma's Art Style 

His artistic journey encompasses a diverse range of mediums, including photography, installations, and videos, all anchored in a deep exploration of urban spaces and the subjective experiences woven within them. Over the years, Jaanus Samma's interests have naturally gravitated toward gender studies, specifically investigating the representation of male sexuality and the artistic means by which it can be portrayed.

Jaanus Samma explores history, ethnography, and museology, focusing on the narratives that emerge at the intersection of these disciplines. By challenging traditional notions of national heritage, he has discovered methods for expanding perspectives on identity formation and introducing alternative ways to contextualize the past. Samma's artistic approach hinges on fieldwork, utilizing interviews and archive research to generate subjective artistic expressions informed by his discoveries.