Merike Estna

Merike Estna's art is an exploration of the painting process, viewed as an integral part of life rather than a mere reflection of it. Her artworks borrow patterns and color combinations from applied arts and crafts, realms traditionally excluded from the visual language of painting. In doing so, she challenges the historically masculine territory of painting and questions the rigid divide between these two worlds. Her artistic evolution has led her from applying patterns and treatments to canvases to covering clothing, objects, and entire spaces. This journey is a testament to her dedication to researching color and the act of painting.

Biography of Merike Estna

Merike Estna, born in 1980, lives and works in Tallinn. Her artistic journey began as a participant in the vibrant performance art scene affiliated with the Academia Non Grata alternative art school in the early 2000s. She then pursued formal art education at the Estonian Academy of Arts, enrolling in the Painting BA and Interdisciplinary Arts MA programs.

In 2007, Estna embarked on a new chapter in London, culminating in her completion of an MFA in Art Practice degree at Goldsmiths College in 2009. This international exposure undoubtedly influenced her creative approach.

Among Merike Estna's recent exhibitions are "Soil will not contain our Love" at the Kai Art Center in Tallinn (2022), "Talk to me softly, when the world is fading away" at Karen Huber Gallery in Mexico City (2022), and "Memory Shop," curated by Nicolas Bourriaud, at the Fundacion Casa Wabi in Puerto Escondido, Mexico (2022). Her work has also been featured in shows in locations such as London, Helsinki, New York, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Porto, and Stuttgart, highlighting her significant impact on the contemporary art scene.