Council of EAA 2019–2022
Members of the board of EAA:
Elin Kard (President of EAA)
Elin Kard has graduated from Tallinn Technical School of Light Industry and the department of leather art at the Estonian Academy of Arts; she obtained MA degree in visual art at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She is presently studying at the Doctoral School of Estonian Academy of Arts. Elin Kard has worked as a project manager at the Center for Contemporary Arts Estonia; an associate professor at the Estonian Academy of Arts and since 2003 she has been the manager of Hobusepea gallery and Draakon gallery in Tallinn. In 2003-2019 she was the Vice-President of the Estonian Artists' Association.
Vano Allsalu (Vice-President of EAA)
Vano Allsalu has graduated from the department of painting at the Estonian Academy of Arts. He has worked as a lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts, at the University of Tartu, Sally Stuudio and as a creative director in advertisement agency Zoom. He is a member of the council of Tallinn Art Hall Foundation, member of the board of Estonian Painters' Association and member of the advisory board of Tartu Art College. In 2013-2019 he worked as the President of the Estonian Artists' Association.
Members of the council of EAA, representatives of EAA's sub-associations:
Lembe Ruben (Association of Estonian Printmakers)
Represents Association of Estonian Printmakers in the council of Estonian Artists' Association. Lembe Ruben has obtained BA degree in printmaking and MA degree in fine arts at the Estonian Academy of Arts; she has taken additional courses in psychology and art therapy at the Tallinn University. Besides her artist's practice, Lembe Ruben also curates printmaking exhibitions and has taught graphic art, drawing and composition at Estonian Academy of Arts, at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy and Kumu Art Museum. She has designed and illustrated magazines and books; organized the annually held international printmaking week “Muhu Print” and works in Kunstiosakond LLC.
Aet Ollisaar (Estonian Textile Artists' Association)
Aet Ollisaar represents Estonians Textile Artists' Association in the council of the Estonian Artists' Association. She has graduated from the department of textile art at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Besides an active artist's practice, Ollisaar has also compiled publications, organized annual exhibitions and awarding of the textile artists' association, and worked as the professor and head of the department of textile at Pallas University of Applied Sciences.
Pille Kaleviste (head of the Estonian Ceramists' Union)
Represents Estonian Ceramists' Union in the council of EAA. Kaleviste has studied ceramics, textile art and teacher training at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She is an active artist and curator.
Malle Karik-Hallimäe (Estonian Glass Artists' Union)
Represents Estonian Glass Artists' Union in the council of EAA. Karik-Hallimäe has graduated from the department of glass art at Estonian State Art Institute. She has worked as an artist-designer in Udeva Sokvhoz and as a teacher of art and art history at Tallinn Secondary School No. 21. Since 1996, Karik-Hallimäe works as a project manager in the Estonian Union for Child Welfare.
Marko Kekišev (Estonian Graphic Designers' Association)
Represents Estonian Graphic Designers' Association in the council of EAA. Marko Kekišev has graduated from the department of design at Estonian State Art Institute. Besides his main profession as a graphic designer, Kekišev has also worked as a lecturer, an AD in advertisement agencies (Kolm Karu, Zavod BBDO), a lecturer and a curator. He is currently working as a professor in the department of media design in Pallas University of Applied Sciences and as a graphic designer in Siirup LLC. He is the initiator and organizer of the legendary Haapsalu Festival of Graphic Design.
Eve Kiiler (Association of Independent Artists)
Represents Association of Independent Artists in the council of EAA. Kiiler has studied interior architecture and furniture design at Estonian State Art Institute; she has also graduated from the department of culture theory at Goldsmiths College, University of London; and from the Doctoral School of Art, Design and Architecture at Aalto University. Eve Kiiler has worked as a lecturer in the Centre of Photography, the head as well as the head of curriculum and professor in the department of photography at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently working at the Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School.
Pille Kivihall (Estonian Leatherwork Artists' Union)
Represents Estonian Leatherwork Artists' Union in the council of EAA. Kivihall has graduated from the department of leather art at Estonian State Art Institute. She has worked as the artistic director in ARS Factory of Art Products and as a consultant in Estonian Leatherwork (Eesti Nahkehistöö). She is the founder of Katariina Guild and the leather workshop of the Guild. Kivihall has held exhibitions as a leather artist as well as been the chairwoman of Estonian Leatherwork Artists' Union, held several exhibition projects and seminars as well as worked as a lecturer.
Riina Grethiel Leppoja (Studio 22)
Represents sub-association Studio 22 in the council of EAA. Leppoja has studied history - for several decades, she has explored various religions and esoterical traditions, including the related visual and mythological semantic language. Leppoja is a member of Estonian Artists' Association since 1993 and since mid-1980 she has participated in exhibitions both in Estonia and abroad. She began her artist practice in Tõnis Vint's studio. While being an artist, author of several books, translator and meditation teacher, Leppoja's main focus lies on mental journey, awakening of the potential hidden in human consciousness, creating beauty, dissolving obstacles and broadening the limits of perception. Since 2018 she has been a curator to organize the group exhibitions of Studio 22.
Sirje Petersen (Tartu Artists' Union)
Represents Tartu Artists' Union in the council of EAA. Sirje Petersen has studied at Tartu Art School, Tartu Art College, at the Art Cabinet of the University of Tartu and at Tallinn University. She has been actively participating in exhibitions since 1981. Since 2000, Petersen works as a lecturer at Tartu Art College. Her artwork has been exhibited in Estonia and in numerous countries abroad.
Jaan Pärn (Estonian Metal Artists' Association)
Represents Estonian Metal Artists' Association in the council of EAA. Jaan Pärn has graduated from the departments of architecture and metal art at Estonian State Art Institute. Pärn has worked as an architect in the State Restoration Authority; a vice-president of Tallinn Open Air Museum; a lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts; an entrepreneur and a jewellery artist in a studio-gallery in Helsinki; and an artistic editor in the Government of Film Rental and Advertisement. Pärn is a founder of Masters' Courtyard in Tallinn, head of the Estonian Metal Artists' Association and a jewellery artist.
Tiiu Rebane (Estonian Painters' Association)
Head of the Estonian Painters' Association and represents it in the council of EAA. Rebane has graduated from the department of painting at the Estonian Academy of Arts and the department of restoration at Tallinn Construction School. Currently she is finishing her MA studies in the Institute of Art History and Visual Culture at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Besides being an active artist she has also been a curator for numerous exhibitions and art projects as well as works as a project manager at Muhu Art Residency of Estonian Artists' Association.
Virve Sarapik (Estonian Society of Art Historians and Curators)
Represents Estonian Society of Art Historians and Curators in the council of EAA. Virve Sarapik has graduated from the department of graphic art at Estonian State Art Institute and obtained Doctoral degree in the department of semiotics and culturology at the University of Tartu. She has worked as an assistant, associate professor, senior researcher, Professor extraordinarius and professor at Estonian Academy of Arts. Sarapik has also worked at Under and Tuglas Literature Centre; as a senior researcher and the head of the culture theory work group at Estonian Literary Museum. Currently working as the head of the Institute of Art History and Visual Culture at the Estonian Academy of Arts.
Gea Sibola-Hansen (Estonian Sculptors' Union)
Chairwoman of the Estonian Sculptors' Union and represents it in the council of EAA. She has graduated from the department of sculpture at the Estonian State Art Institute. Besides her artist practice in Estonia and Sweden, Sibola-Hansen has worked as a lecturer and restorer with monuments and facades protected under heritage conservation in Europe; also, she has curated exhibitions and created numerous artworks of public space.
Taimi Soo (Estonian Association of Designers)
Represents Estonian Association of Designers in the council of EAA. She has graduated from the department of industrial art, faculty of architecture at Estonian State Art institute. She has worked as a draftsperson in Tööstusprojekt; a designer at ARS Factory of Art Products; a designer at the Development Bureau of Tallinn City Design and a freelance artist. Taimi Soo has been an author of numerous large-scale design projects as well as participated in many exhibitions („Space and Form“, „Dream to reality“). She is the (founder) member of the Estonian Association of Interior Architects.
Liina Tepand (Association of Estonian Scenographers)
Head of the Association of Estonian Scenographers and represents it in the council of EAA. She has graduated from the department of scenography at the Estonian Academy of Arts and the department of landscaping and decorative gardening at Tallinn Polytechnic School. Tepand has also worked as a set designer in Estonian Drama Theatre, the chief set designer in Tartu Theatre Lab and a lecturer in Viljandi Culture Academy of the University of Tartu.
Laura Toots (Estonian Union of Photography Artists)
Represents Estonian Union of Photography Artists in the council of EAA. Laura Toots has graduated from the department of photography at the Estonian Academy of Arts and additionally studied in Aalto University and Bergen Academy of Art and Design. Besides her artist practice, Toots has led numerous art projects as well as curated exhibitions. She has worked in the publishing house Lugemik and held lectures at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently works as an artistic director of Tallinn Photomonth and as the curator of the Contemporary Art Museum Estonia (EKKM).
Anneliis Vabul (Estonian Watercolourists' Union)
Represents Estonian Watercolourists' Union in the council of EAA. She has graduated from the department of textile design and colouring at Tallinn Technical School of Light Industry, the department of fashion design at the Estonian Academy of Arts and the department of German and English language at Tallinn Pedagogical Institute. Vabul has worked as a senior artist in the textile studio of ARS Factory of Art Products; in film studio Tallinnfilm; as a fashion designer in the folk art enterprise „Kodu“; and as a schoolteacher in Saaremaa, Estonia. Besides her artist practice, Vabul has curated several projects and currently working as an executive manager of art training enterprise Alla Prima.
Members of the council of EAA selected at the General Assembly:
Jaan Elken
Jaan Elken has graduated from the faculty of architecture at Estonian State Art Institute; he is a painter, art critic, curator and art teacher. In 1997-2018, Elken worked as the professor of the chair of painting at the University of Tartu Institute of Cultural Research. Since 2018, Elken is the Professor Emeritus in the faculty of arts and humanities at the University of Tartu. In 1999-2013, he was the President of the Estonian Artists' Association.
Merike Estna
Merike Estna has studied painting, interdisciplinary art and performance art at the Estonian Academy of Arts, Academia Non Grata, Kent Institute of Art & Design, Goldsmiths College. Currently she is mainly practising interdisciplinary contemporary painting and works as a visiting associate professor in the department of painting at the Estonian Academy of Arts.
Mihkel Ilus
Mihkel Ilus has studied in the department of arts, faculty of philosophy at the University of Tartu, in Estonian Academy of Arts and in Tallinn Construction School. Mihkel Ilus is a painter, interdisciplinary artist, curator and works as a craftsman in the department of painting and as a visiting lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts.
Loit Jõekalda
Loit Jõekalda has graduated from the department of graphic art at Estonian State Art Institute. He has designed several studybooks, compilations and fictional books; been actively involved in the activities of Graafikakoda printing workshop; led the Association of Estonian Printmakers; been one of the initiatives of Tallinn Drawing Triennial. Jõekalda is a member of Estonian Ancient Art Society, Estonian-Sami Union and Finnish Ancient Art Society. Currently working as a coordinator of the art collection of Kunstitaristu Foundation.
Kirke Kangro
Kirke Kangro has studied sculpture and interdisciplinary arts at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She has worked as an associate professor, professor and head of the department of sculpture at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Since 2016, Kangro works as the dean of faculty of fine arts at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Besides her artist practice, she has also designed books and curated various art projects.
Tiiu Kirsipuu
Tiiu Kirsipuu has graduated from the department of sculpture at Estonian State Art Institute. She has worked as a teacher in Nõmme Pioneers' Centre; lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts; lecturer at the College of Applied Arts at the Estonian Academy of Arts and in Tallinn University. Besides her artist practice, Kirsipuu has curated and designed several exhibitions and has created numerous pieces of public art. For many years, she has been a member of the board of Tallinn Art Hall and Amandus Adamson Studio Museum. Kirsipuu is a member of board of Estonian Sculptors' Union. In 2019, she was awarded the Order of the White Star Fourth Class from the President of the Republic of Estonia for her artist practice.
Harry Liivrand
Harry Liivrand has graduated from the department of history at the University of Tartu and obtained the degree in cultural diplomacy at the German Foreign Ministry's training academy for diplomats. Liivrand is an art historian, critic and curator. He has worked as a senior researcher in the Art Museum of Estonia; as an art and culture editor in newspaper „Hommikuleht“ and in „Eesti Ekspress“; and as an archivist at the University of the Arts in Amsterdam. Liivrand has worked as a curator in Deco gallery and Viviann Napp gallery, head of Tallinn Art Hall, and the cultural attaché in the Estonian Embassy in Berlin. Currently working as the head specialist of research and communication at the Academic Library of the Tallinn University.
Rait Prääts
Has graduated the department of glass art at the Estonian State Art Institute in 1975. Rait Prääts has worked as a lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts; as an artistic director in magazine “Horisont”; and in ARS Art Factory in 1983–1989. He has created several monumental artworks and sculptural objects of various materials, related to numerous socio-critical issues.
Has graduated the department of glass art at the Estonian State Art Institute in 1975. Rait Prääts has worked as a lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts; as an artistic director in magazine “Horisont”; and in ARS Art Factory in 1983–1989. He has created several monumental artworks and sculptural objects of various materials, related to numerous socio-critical issues.
Tiina Tammetalu
Tiina Tammetalu has graduated from the department of design at Tartu Art School, from the department of painting at Estonian State Art Institute and additionally studied in MA programme of interdisciplinary arts at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Tammetalu is an actively practising painter, book designer and graphic designer. She has created hundreds of original book designs as well as received numerous acknowledgements. Besides her artist practice, for the last 15 or more years, Tammetalu has also worked as a non-permanent lecturer in the department of painting at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She has also compiled and curated several exhibition projects as well as series (such as „Imaginary Museum“, „Siima Shkop: Classics of Estonian Graphic Design etc.). She is the chairwoman of Estonian Graphic Designers' Association.
Maarja Undusk
Maarja Undusk has graduated from the department of leatherwork at Estonian State Art Institute. Besides her artist practice, Undusk has curated several projects and been invloved in paper art, drawing, illustration and creating artist books. She has written several articles and speeches on art and social subjects. She has published a poetry book under pseudonym Madli Morell.