Kaido Ole 'K&O', ARS, Tallinn

ARS Project Room 29.09.–28.10.2023
Mon-Fri 12–18, Sat 12–16

On Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 18:00, Kaido Ole's solo exhibition "K&O" will open at the ARS Project Room, presenting six large-format paintings created specifically for the occasion and a brand-new painting series "Dance of Death". The artist addresses various aspects of human existence in his characteristic witty and (self)ironic manner, resonating with both art experts and each of us. The genesis of the new works and Kaido Ole's oeuvre will be discussed during a conversation with the artist moderated by Eero Epner on October 16 at 18:00.

Kaido Ole: "In my paintings, I am often myself, as it is. Why? Because I am constantly with myself, never leaving myself for a moment. If I know anyone at all, it's primarily myself. I am absolutely aware of all my proud, less proud, and even the most embarrassing moments, thoughts, and desires. We only know isolated fragments, snippets, about others, and based on these fragments, we often draw very simplistic conclusions or bold generalizations, which often do not hold true. I tend to do the same about others. Connections between these few fragments arise almost effortlessly. However, when we already know a lot about someone or something, the pattern that would connect these kaleidoscopic fragments into a whole doesn't emerge so easily. And that's exactly what's good and interesting."

Art historian Anneli Porri notes that the core of Kaido Ole's oeuvre is conceptual painting: "Despite the fact that the large-scale paintings are meticulously calculated and seem almost mechanical, he is interested in painting as craftsmanship and the errors that occur during painting. Ole's theatrical and contradictory narratives always combine techniques from various painting styles, from geometric abstractionism to pop art and neo-realism. Instead of direct political commentary, Ole's paintings speak more broadly about power dynamics between people or between the artist and his work, but these power positions are open to multiple interpretations, often absurd and humorous."

Kaido Ole: "I am sixty years old and have been working as an artist for over half of my life; my first exhibition was already in the late 80s, and I have accumulated almost fifty solo exhibitions since then. Although I always wanted to and only wanted to become an artist, at first, I wasn't sure if I was fit for it. Now I have no doubt about it — if anything, art, more precisely painting, is the only thing I can do and probably also do relatively well.

I have noticed that art is often claimed to be aimed at raising questions and prompting thought. With my art, I seek answers instead because I'm constantly thinking, perhaps too much. I have an inkling of what the answer is, but I wouldn't be able to explain it in a few words. All the works in this exhibition, like all the works in all my previous exhibitions, are primarily created to find answers."

Kaido Ole (1963) studied design and painting at the Estonian Academy of Arts (1982–1992) and worked as a drawing and painting lecturer and professor of the painting department at the EAA (2003–2010), becoming a freelance artist in 2010. In 2003, he represented Estonia at the Venice Biennale as John Smith, together with Marko Mäetamm. Kaido Ole has received numerous awards, including the Kristjan Raud Award (1998), Konrad Mägi Award (2012), Estonian Cultural Endowment Annual Award (1999 and 2005), and the Order of the White Star, 3rd Class (2014). His works are in the collections of the Art Museum of Estonia, Tartu Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Estonia, Latvian National Museum of Art, European Parliament, ABLV Bank, Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art, and Angerlehner Museum. The artist is represented by Temnikova & Kasela gallery.

Graphic design of the exhibition: Andres Tali.
Supported by: Estonian Cultural Endowment, Estonian Artists Association, City of Tallinn, Akzo Nobel, Punch Club.