‘In some ways, I have the feeling that this is a sort of overview exhibition, since my first more serious oil paintings are here; those which were on display at my first exhibitions, with the majority, of course, being newer works, from 2017.

 Based on what has been said, it is perhaps possible to analyse how the handwriting or the themes have changed, but I don’t get the sense that they have very much, perhaps only the technical proficiency, the skill to bring to the forefront that which is desired in a shorter amount of time. In summary, each painting is like a dance; you never know when the music will be broken by a razor sharp sound, a pause or silence.

 Then that silence fills the surface of the picture and there is a moment when the record begins to wind itself forward and it must be done again.

 I don’t get the sense that some sort of finality is close at hand. That the style that is continuously being pressed out of me is close to being exhausted. I also don’t know how to draw any boundaries whatsoever between temporal changes, rather, it is my ability to analyse that has changed, but I don’t sense that the knowledge is in any way constructive.

 Creation presses ahead on any surface where there is hope for life.

 These paintings contain many breaths within them. Obviously, life continues to continuously breathe in and out of them, along with the person breathing in front of them, but the most important thing is to notice the pauses (those which arise between breathing in and out), since this is the gateway to understanding. So that after many more continuations, the rebirth of pictures, the understanding arises that all of this is always been one painting.’

Liis Koger

‘Art does not lie. Everything that it shows us is the truth within us – an indeterminate number of truths are found, all of which exist and function at the same time. Each subjective truth is knowledge, which is always present in the beholder in the form of some kind of recollection. The truth, in and of itself, does not have to be invented or come up with, it is something that no one can predict or give you – it must simply be sought out. In general, however, it crops up quite spontaneously, based on the situation. It may happen that such subjective spontaneity is frightening. Although it’s not the art that scares the person, but the person himself. Fear of the unknown could actually positively upset a person. Faith and trust in one’s self – or you could say, becoming friends with one’s occasional shadowy presence – only bring us closer to the world. Bring us closer to art. Are they not one and the same – inside each other, containing each other? Art is precisely that which you see – you yourself. The ability to see art is a gift.’

Kärt Hammer

Liis Koger (1989) acquired her art education from the University of Tartu, in the field of painting, and also minored in theology. Since 2009, the author has participated in a number of shows in Estonia and abroad. In addition to painting, Liis Koger has garnered attention as a poet.

Kärt Hammer (1988) has studied in the art class at Pelgulinna Upper Secondary School and at Sally Stuudio, and defended her Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Master's degree in Cultural Theory at Tallinn University. She has participated in exhibitions since the beginning of 2006.