Lappy Mary "Columna Cochlis"

On Friday, 19 June at 6:00 PM, the artist Lappy Mary opens the exhibition Columna Cochlis at the Vabaduse Gallery.

Recently, the artist has become deeply fascinated by the history of the ancient world and the various folk myths that go along with it. This interest has found expression in her newest works, where traces of ancient traditions are apparent. The aim of the artist was not to illustrate specific mythological narratives; rather, these images emerged unconsciously and independently, opening up new ways to experience time, memory, form and the interconnectedness of people from different eras.

Lappy Mary: “In this exhibition, I use many techniques and media that are new to me: textiles, carpet weaving and glass. I find myself increasingly captivated by the aesthetics of handicrafts whose traditions lie deep in the ancient world. I am fascinated by the process of intuitive and formal explorations and working with previously unknown materials. It reminds me of archaeological excavations, where form and meaning emerge gradually, layer by layer, bringing both the joy of discovery and deep satisfaction. Being in a state of seeking is when I feel the most alive, both as an artist and a person, a place where form and meaning are born in the process of working with materials.

I recall a legend of a master who left a small imperfection in his work: a crooked column as a symbol of the fact that absolute completion and perfection do not belong to the human realm. This clearly symbolises the experience of manual and intuitive work, where making mistakes and experimenting become inseparable parts of the process.

The title Columna Cochlis (Latin for “spiral column”) encapsulates for me spiral movement, gradual emergence of form, and the memory stored in layers.”

LAPPY MARY (Maria Lapteva) is an Estonian painter. She graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts with a degree in painting (MA, 2014). She is a member of the Estonian Artists’ Association and the Estonian Authors’ Society; in 2015–2017, she was the chairwoman of the board of the Estonian Painters’ Association. She has participated in exhibitions since 2008.

More information: www.lappymary.com
Contact: lappymaryart@gmail.com

The exhibition Columna Cochlis will remain open at the Vabaduse Gallery until 22 July 2026.

The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.
The gallery is supported by the Estonian Ministry of Culture, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and Liviko Ltd.
Vabaduse Gallery is managed by the Estonian Artists’ Association