Fred Kotkas 'Estonian Party'

Fred Kotkas’s series of paintings were originally shown in several Estonian galleries (Tartu Art House, Pärnu City Gallery, Kondas Centre in Viljandi) in the year of the 100th anniversary of independence celebrations, an occasion from which the artist borrowed the theme of the show.

If a national holiday is intended to unite members of the population in an act of communal and simultaneous celebration, Kotkas’s works aim to reveal the contrasts present in Estonian society that become more visible in ecstatic moments of heightened expectations. The paintings depicting bursts of intense activity and interaction try to capture the atmosphere of physical and mental overindulgence that precede, accompany and follow festivities. 

In addition to the works exhibited in 2018, Kotkas will show a new painting at Temnikova & Kasela gallery. The opening will be accompanied by a food installation inspired by the exhibition, prepared especially for the occasion by Curated by Bakerman, an experimental design studio working primarily with food. 

The exhibition is supported by EV100 art programme, City of Pärnu, Estonian Cultural Endowment, Curated by Bakerman, Moe Distillery