Võruma artist Meelis Krigul painted houses in Võru and Tartu with mysterious courtyards over the course of two years, to record the history of disappearing houses. The artist’s jubilee exhibition “Houses and Times” opened in the Võru City Gallery.
Krigul’s series of house paintings began with a chance entry into the basement that came to him through a photo he saw on the Internet.
“This photo strangely reminded me of my first studio, which had a basement entrance like that, and my first studio in 1985 was in the basement. Then I discovered that I didn’t have the right brushes to paint with that approach. I bought new brushes and I walked around the city, I discovered a house that is like a model. And then I realized that there will probably be a longer series, that these old houses destroyed by time fascinated me,” Krigul described.
Most of the paintings are made with houses in the city of Võru, which in one way or another are related to the life of Krigul: in these courtyards people wandered or visited friends and acquaintances.
However, the exhibition also includes houses from Tartu and Tallinn. These are unique images, where even the hidden corners are preserved.
“There is a compulsion to find it, because many of these corners will most likely disappear. Maybe they will be demolished or they will be renovated in some very disgusting way, the result will be the same. He captured the moment, which is still there now, so Meelis paints , after all, the golden dust of the old days,” commented artist Aivar Rumvolt.
There are a total of 23 paintings on display, where the buildings in different paintings are captured in their last moment before renovation or demolition.
“I must admit that there are few of these models left, the city is relatively tidy. Honor and praise to Võru. Fences have been built on all sides, houses have been repainted, roofs have been new. But well, you see, the question is not it’s hopeless,” Krigul said.
The “Houses and Times” exhibition will remain open in the Võru City Gallery until the end of February.
2024-01-14 16:44:00
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