Sigrid Viir

Sigrid Viir (b. 1979) works and lives in Tallinn. Viir studied cultural theory at Estonian Humanitarian Institute, after which she acquired BA (2009) and an MA (2017) degrees in Photography at the Estonian Academy of Arts. During her studies she also completed a Media Arts exchange program at Staatliche Hochschule für Gestaltung Karlsruhe (Prof. Elger Esser).

Viir's practice - both solo and as a member of Visible Solutions LCC with Karel Koplimets and Taaniel Raudsepp - is situated between photography, installation and performance practices. Through their mostly performative practice, Visible Solutions explore the relationship between art and economy questioning the methods on which the art world operates as well as their own roles within that. Viir’s solo practice evolves around a more private sphere: family and domestic objects. The artist describes her interest to be focused on “behavioural habits and functioning models”, which she documents, questions and rearranges in her work. Viir's photo series, depicting people and objects in unexpected arrangements, often deal with functionality and structure of social models. Sigrid Viir is interested in the daily aspects of human existence and the related tangle of social agreements, the borderline between the totality of work and personal time of rest as well as the themes of visual language.​

Viir’s recent exhibitions include: "(Un)Balanced: Exhibition About Noticing and Peace of Mind," Adamson-Eric Museum, Tallinn, Estonia (2024); "In the Now: Gender and Nation in Europe, Selections from the Sir Mark Fehrs Haukohl Photography Collection," Brooklyn Museum, New York (2024); "The Secrets of the Leaning Building," Tartu Art Museum (2024); "Lonny the Enchanter," together with Liga Spunde, ArCo3 – Artists in Collections, Communities and Collectives, Taevaskoja, Estonia (2024); "Screen Age III: Still Life," with Cloe Jancis, Riga Photography Biennial (2022); "The Second Act. Found in Translation," with Cloe Jancis, Tartu Art House (2022); "False Vacationer," KOENIG2 by_robbygreif, Vienna (2021); "In the Now: Gender and Nation in Europe, Selections from the Sir Mark Fehrs Haukohl Photography Collection," LACMA, Los Angeles (2021); "In front of the mirror, on a day full of enthusiasm, you put your mask on too heavily, it bites your skin", with Cloe Jancis, Temnikova & Kasela, Tallinn (2021); "False Vacationer", Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia, Tallinn (2019); "Waiting Room Improvisation", V Artishok Biennale, curated by Evelyn Raudsepp, Theatre N099, Tallinn (2016); "Awful Pretty Pipe Neck", Draakon Gallery, Tallinn (2016); "Import Export", with Jimmy Limit, Temnikova & Kasela, Tallinn (2016); “Kim Wilde, While Shivering at the Bus Station and Biting into a Jam Doughnut, Hums a Tune Inspired by Passing Remarks, Picks Dust Off Her Suspenders and Together with an Egg Cell Analyses a Previous Experience with the Spirit of Tartu”, with Kristiina Hansen and Johannes Säre, Tartu Art House; “Delta India Sierra Charlie”, with Kristiina Hansen, Draakon Gallery, Tallinn (2015); “Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky meets with Turritopsis Nutricula to admire the drif ting swans and discuss the possibility of neglecting the linearity of time in the near future”, with Kristiina Hansen and Johannes Säre, Haapsalu City Gallery; “Purpose of the Universe and Flickering Funnel”, Hobusepea Gallery, Tallinn (2014).