New Gallery for Alternative Artists Opens at Tartu's Aparaaditehas
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Loading... - Vittoria Riva
- 10 Apr 2025
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A new gallery dedicated to showcasing the work of alternative artists has officially opened at Tartu's Aparaaditehas. The inaugural exhibition at the Kett Gallery, organized by the Ajuokse community, features a diverse array of artworks from artists hailing from the Baltic and Nordic countries, as well as Ukraine.
A Platform for Alternative Artists
The Ajuokse community is a collective that brings together various forms of alternative artists, including tattoo artists, street artists, lowbrow artists, and experimental musicians. Recognizing the limited opportunities for these artists to display their work, the community decided to establish their own gallery in Tartu, aiming to create a space that fosters creativity and collaboration.
Stina Leek, the founder of the Ajuokse community and the gallery, expressed the group's vision: "At the moment, we have worked mostly with Latvian, Lithuanian, and Finnish artists, as well as artists from Ukraine, but we would like to expand more to those from the Nordic countries. There are really not so many spaces like this in the entire region, not only in Estonia."
Engaging the Public with Accessible Art
In addition to promoting alternative artists and their works, the Kett Gallery aims to attract a broader audience to experience art in a more approachable way. Leek noted, "Because we take ourselves with a pinch of salt and this is the kind of art that perhaps is a bit more accessible, people will be brave enough to consume this work. Hopefully, we can become a small step on the way to the next art institution."
The gallery's first exhibition visualizes the essence of community through the contributions of artists from different countries. It seeks to explain what characterizes a community using visual language, inviting viewers to engage with the themes presented.
Highlighting Human Relationships
One standout piece in the exhibition is by street artist Kairo, which addresses the theme of human relationships in contemporary society. Kairo reflected on the challenges of loneliness and connection in modern urban life, stating, "In the cities of today, loneliness is a really big problem, and many people's relationships do not function that well. I saw one of these videos and was struck by the composition. I then used that idea as a basis for how people today invent relationships in ways that work while the world is burning around them."
The Kett Gallery's opening marks an exciting development in Tartu's art scene, providing a vital platform for alternative artists and fostering a sense of community through creative expression. As the gallery continues to grow, it aims to expand its reach and influence within the region and beyond.
