In the 2000s, Saadoja, who began with almost mechanical photorealistic works, focused on dialogue with 19th-century realistic art, particularly the work of Paul Raua (1865-1930). Seemingly random, simple and peculiar motifs are presented with particular care and detail, highlighting aesthetic and formal issues that have long been in the background in the overall artistic picture. Looking on the one hand at the legacy of the past and on the other with a new gaze, the center of his art is still the effort to understand the role and meaning of painting, above all, in the present day. The recipient’s personal exhibition “Height above sea level” at the Kumu Art Museum (11. IV – 24. IX 2023) is distinguished by high quality, integrity and conceptually interesting solutions, which testify to the excellent creative form of artist.
Saadoja, originally from Tallinn, studied painting at the painting department of the University of Tartu, the Estonian Academy of Arts (BA, 2004) and the liberal arts major at the University of East London (2006, MA). Since 2001 he has participated in exhibitions. He was awarded the Kristjan Raua prize (2013, for the creation of a monumental painting in the premises of the NO99 Theater), the Konrad Mäe painting prize (2015) and several times the prize of the year of visual and applied arts endowment fund of the Estonian Cultural Capital (2006, 2008, 2012) and other awards. His works are among others in the permanent collection of the Estonian Art Museum and the Tartu Art Museum.
An artistic work, exhibition or project that has been on public display in the period October 2022 – September 2023 has been nominated for the 2023 AkzoNobel Art Prize.
Maria-Kristiina Ulas / The work “Brilliantly alive from the inside” / Plywood, wood, metal, acrylic
The candidate was presented by the Union of Estonian Artists
Angela Masalu / The exhibition “The Fool with the Glass Heart” and participation in the collective exhibition “On the other side of the sword blow of the great oblivion”
The candidate was presented by the Estonian Museum of Contemporary Art
Tõnis Saadoja and Paul Kuimet / Exhibition “The landscape passes through the house”
The candidate was presented by the Tartu Art Museum
Jenny Grönholm/ Exhibition “Memories of the Future”
The candidate was presented by Tallinn Art Gallery
Tõnis Sender/ Show “Height above sea level”
The candidate was presented by the Estonian Art Museum
Alexei Gordin / Exhibition “Dreams come true in this gallery”
The candidate was presented by the art magazine KUNST.EE
The AkzoNobel Art Prize is the oldest privately held art prize in Estonia, established in 1996. In addition to the financial reward, the company helps artists present their creations through a unique art calendar.
Akzo Nobel Baltics AS has the oldest and most notable art collection in Estonia, founded in 1990. The art collection is displayed in the main office in Tallinn and in the production complex in Rapla.
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2024-01-21 11:24:31
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