Last week and artist talk: “Sisters have sisterhood”/ “Õdedel on õelus”

There is a saying “vendadel on vendlus, õdedel on õelus”, which roughly means that there is a friendship / brotherhood in between brothers and malice / sisterhood in between sisters. It's just a wordplay, since “õelus” means both malice and sisterhood. Anyhow, somehow the language has influenced the culture and if brothers are often seen as “shoulder to shoulder” companions then in sisterhood there is more concentration on the relations of conflict. Coming from this, there is a wish, that there would be a different word to describe sisterhood in Estonian; how to describe a brotherhood in between sisters? 

In the exhibition “Sisters have sisterhood”/ “Õdedel on õelus” sisters-Mudists will share a gallery space for the first time. Johanna Mudist is well known for her paintings, in which she stands out in her very own color-code, technique and spot on tranquility. Katariin vice versa is known for her drawings and sculptures that always have some fine humor in them. In the ARS projectspace, Johanna's meditative paintings meet Katariin's playful installations, whose interplay characterizes both the two sisters themselves and their relationship.

In the exhibition, the artists delve into what being a sister means to them and what they mean to each other; how the dynamics, care, and closeness of sisterly relationships look and develop. In the exhibition space, however, they also seek a broader meaning of the word “sister.” In a wider cultural context, 'sister' also simply refers to another close woman, a friend, a community member, or a relative. Therefore, the artists direct the viewer’s gaze towards the phenomenon of 'sisters and malice' in a broader cultural context. 

Exhibition team 
Curator: Kerly Ritval 
Exhibition designer: Alden Jõgisuu 
Graphic design: Katariin Mudist 

Thanks to Annely Köster, Alan Voodla, Maria Elise Remme and Eva Nava.

The exhibition and opening are supported by the Estonian Cultural Endowment, Estonian Artist Union, Sally Stuudio, Uninaks AS, Muddis Brewery and Punch drinks.