The graphic
works of Maret Olvet speak about freedom, playfulness and independence –things
that are supposed to be characteristic to an artist’s soul. Yet Maret Olvet as
an artist who has taken part in exhibitions for over forty years has
experienced times when she was to create in oppressing and restrictive
conditions. For the artists the new era that began in the last decade of the
last century symbolized first of all freedom in artistic creation, a ritual
purification process. Together with the new social order new terms, values and
priorities were adapted, and Olvet interprets the meaning of those themes and
terms through her creative work. Graphic sheets imbued with geometrical shapes
and abstract motives carry the modern spirit. Through minimalist generalization
the artist interprets both the issues that touch her on the personal level as
well as the general-topical ones. The viewer’s imagination at interpreting the
idea behind a certain symbol is directed by the laconic yet substantial
headings (“Competition”, “Successful”, “Movable”, “Immovable”, “Estonian Icon”)
that so eloquently reflect the characteristics of the Estonian society today.
In parallel
with the changes in Estonian society Olvet has strived towards abstractionism
and generalization in her creative work. The transition from realism to
abstractionism took place in the 1990s when she finished the series “Saplings”
in intaglio technique. From there Olvet moved already towards more laconic
solutions. The graphic sheets displayed in the exhibition are clear, cleaned
from superfluous symbols and unimportant figures. The composition of her works
is based on the total effect of interlaced and overlapping geometrical shapes,
straight and crooked lines, curved and angular surfaces, and the white empty
space between them. Yet here and there between the abstract shapes the recognizable
images of a boy, a fish and the dollar sign obtain clear outlines, and in the
series “Estonian Ballads” one can spot realistic memory images of windmills and
farmhouses from the artist’s childhood. The pictures speaking in the language
of minimalism are enlivened by the sensitive choice of colors and slightly translucent
tonality.
Although
Maret Olvet who has been called the grand
old lady of Estonian graphics has been actively creative for over forty
years, she continues to work with the same energy, passion and devotion. Olvet’s
constant need for experimenting shows also in the wide range of her activities
– she has been fascinated with the design of books, posters and ex libris since the beginning of her
creative work. She is enthusiastic about new ideas and trends, yet at the same
time inspired by the aesthetics and methods of traditional art history. By following
closely the processes in Estonia
and in the world the ideas and trends of the modern times are intuitively
reflected in the artist’s creation. Having used mainly intaglio techniques in
her graphics since 1970s, Olvet also continues experimenting with different
techniques. In the pictures of “Freedom of Choice” where the topical and
personal themes are bound together, the viewer can directly experience the joy
of improvisation and experimenting, inciting passion for creation and incessant
playfulness.