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NOBA Nordic Baltic contemporary art platform

In her yet untitled exhibition project Maria Kapajeva continues to work with the representation of women in our culture. With the recent rise of populist conservatism all over the world, women are finding themselves in a more fragile position than before and in danger of losing what have they been fighting for over the last century.

Martin Helme, a high-ranking member of the national conservative party in Estonia, has publicly called a childless woman in her late 20s “an element harmful to society”. As one of those women, Kapajeva is then also considered as having failed in her female role in the society. And even though she is not alone, the opinion that women need to have children in order to fulfil their purpose is still rather widespread. How can these “failed” people redeem themselves (if they even have to)? Perhaps by making something else instead? Every artist needs to make exhibitions, so Kapajeva will make this one. 

Maria Kapajeva is a Russian-speaking artist from Estonia who is based in London. Her work often highlights peripheral histories, focusing on the representation of women. She obtained her BA in Photography at The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and her MA in Photography at The University of Westminster. Recent solo exhibitions include “Test Shooting” at Digital Art Space / CBS, Copenhagen, Denmark (2019), “Dream is Wonderful, Yet Unclear” (curated by Liisa Kaljula) at Narva Art Residency (2017) and “Interiors” at Auckland Photography Festival, New Zealand (2015). Her first artist book “You can call him another man” was shortlisted for the Aperture Photobook Award 2018.

The exhibition is part of Tallinn Art Hall’s 2020 thematic focus on feminism in the 21st century, highlighting critical issues confronting women today. Maria Kapajeva, Flo Kasearu, Laura Kuusk, Ede Raadik and Maria Valdma will stage solo exhibitions dealing with complicated narratives that go beyond what is regarded as “women’s issues” such as the politics of care and the body, the impact of technology on everyday life, violence and trauma, labour and poverty, as well as fertility and decay. These topics nonetheless have a very powerful impact on women’s lives. These artists will use the language of contemporary art to infuse a sense of urgency to engage with visual politics that moves between the female body and the spheres of public discourse.

Gallery name: Tallinn Art Hall

Address: Vabaduse väljak 8, Tallinn

Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11:00 - 18:00

Open: 11.09.2020 - 08.11.2020