{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-article-js","path":"/merike-estna-on-representing-estonia-at-the-61st-venice-biennale/","result":{"data":{"wordpressPost":{"id":117882,"slug":"merike-estna-on-representing-estonia-at-the-61st-venice-biennale","title":"Merike Estna on Representing Estonia at the 61st Venice Biennale","excerpt":"“I will be starting with an empty canvas and hoping to finish with a set of 22 paintings”","content":"\n<p><strong>“I will be starting with an empty canvas and hoping to finish with a set of 22 paintings”</strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>ArtReview</em>&nbsp;sent a&nbsp;<a href=\"https://artreview.com/category/venice-questionnaire/\">questionnaire</a>&nbsp;to artists and curators exhibiting in and curating the various national pavilions of the 2026 Venice Biennale, the responses to which will be published daily in the leadup to and during the Venice Biennale, which runs from 9 May through 22 November.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>Merike Estna is representing Estonia; the pavilion is at Calle S. Domenico 1285.</p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Merike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1-1230x1845.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-117890\" srcset=\"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Merike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1-1230x1845.jpg 1230w, https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Merike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1-600x900.jpg 600w, https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Merike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1-300x450.jpg 300w, https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Merike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Merike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Merike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1.jpg 1333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1230px) 100vw, 1230px\" /><figcaption>Photo: Ana Hop</figcaption></figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ArtReview </strong><em>Tell ArtReview what you plan to exhibit in Venice. What has influenced or inspired you?</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Merike Estna</strong> One of my central ideas at the Estonian pavilion is to show painting when it is the most alive, which has been my aim for a very long time – to work with the idea of living painting. I have previously experimented with different formats – painting as wearable object or as floor – and have arrived at the conclusion that painting is most alive when it is being born in the studio, so I want to exhibit this process, to put emphasis on the process rather than the object or product. I will be inviting viewers to witness the process of painting in the pavilion that will be transformed into an open studio for the duration of the whole Biennale.</p>\n\n\n\n<p>In recent years, I have become increasingly interested in the history of painting from female painters’ perspective and in different artists who have shaped painting into the medium it is today. Initially, one of the most important influences for the project was the sixteenth-century Italian painter Lavinia Fontana, who was among the first female painters to run a professional studio. And I’ve also been inspired by artists like Tintoretta and Paula Modersohn-Becker.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AR </strong><em>In what ways (if at all) does your work relate to the theme of the Biennale exhibition, In Minor Keys?</em><strong></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ME</strong> My work reflects on female art history, from the point of view of a female painter, and does so by focusing on the process and taking time to reflect, inviting the audiences to contemplate as well.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AR </strong><em>Why is the Venice Biennale still important, if at all?</em><strong></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ME</strong> I find the Venice Biennale to still be an interesting platform for artists, as it brings together very different people to share their ideas and that is something to be appreciated in today’s polarised world.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AR </strong><em>What role does a national pavilion play at a time of increasing confrontational nationalisms? Is it about expressing difference or commonality?</em><strong></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ME</strong> The role of national pavilions has changed; artists have different ways of relating to the countries they represent, for example, and they might not necessarily live in these countries, so the meaning of national representation has changed as well. Even if, formally, it’s still based on national pavilions, the fact that people live and move much more globally also influences what is shown. The way I see it, is that it is not about nationalities but about geographic location. And I also don’t think it’s about expressing difference but rather about showing ideas that arise in different locations at the same time.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AR </strong><em>Who, for you, is the most important artist (in any discipline) that your country has produced?</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ME</strong> There are several, from recent history. I really admire my former professor AND now-colleague Jaan Toomik. And Kaido Ole. I’d also like to name many of my colleagues and friends, such as <a href=\"https://artreview.com/edith-karlson-on-representing-estonia-at-the-60th-venice-biennale/\">Edith Karlson</a>, Jaanus Samma, Kristi Kongi, Kris Lemsalu. I’ve had the privilege of seeing my fellow artists’ work develop for a long time and the artists into brilliant thinkers in the art scene.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AR </strong><em>What is something you want people to know about your nation that they might not know already?</em><strong></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ME</strong> Estonia has been shaped by long periods of occupation, most recently by the Soviet Union, so our independence was regained rather recently. When the Soviet Union collapsed, a lot of things became possible and opportunities suddenly opened up which has shaped our thinking as well. At least in my generation, there’s a thirst for freedom, an endless desire and enthusiasm for discovering the world, greatly influenced this breaking point in history.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AR </strong><em>Given that you are exhibiting in a national pavilion, is there something (a quality or an issue or attitude) that distinguishes the art of that nation from that of others? That makes it particular? Are there specific contexts that it responds to? Or do you think that art is a universal language that goes beyond social, political or geographic boundaries?</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ME</strong> I do think art is universal but I think everyone is shaped by their personal history, the region they grow up in and, of course, the political context. The opportunities and the lack thereof certainly shape the way artists think.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AR </strong><em>What, other than art, are you looking forward to seeing – or doing – while you are in Venice?</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ME</strong> As I will be living in Venice with my family throughout the Biennale, I’m excited to experience the city through seasons. I will be starting with an empty canvas and hoping to finish with a set of 22 paintings, so I’m also looking forward to seeing how the city influences the process.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AR </strong><em>Could you give us a brief overview of your average working day while creating your presentation for Venice?</em><strong></strong></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ME</strong> In addition to preparing for Venice, I’m also a part-time professor at the Estonian Academy of Arts, so there are many different roles that I need to fit in my day. I have a lot of meetings but I’m also trying to fit in production in-between – for example, we are currently working on ceramic tiles that will cover the massive floor of the pavilion but also producing my new artist book at the same time.</p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>AR</strong> <em>Can art really change the world?</em></p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ME</strong> I don’t know if art can change the world but I hope art can change a moment in someone’s life – which is a big deal.</p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The&nbsp;</em><a href=\"https://artreview.com/category/venice-biennale-2026/\"><em>61st Venice Biennale</em></a><em>&nbsp;runs 9 May through 22 November 2026</em></p>\n","path":"/merike-estna-on-representing-estonia-at-the-61st-venice-biennale/","format":"standard","date":"16 April 2026","rawDate":"2026-04-16T10:03:58.000Z","branch":{"name":"artreview.com"},"author":{"name":"ArtReview","path":"/author/artreview/"},"category":{"name":"Venice Biennale 2026","path":"/category/venice-biennale-2026/"},"featured_media":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/fMerike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1.jpg","caption":"","alt_text":"","media_details":{"width":2000,"height":1125,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/fMerike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1-300x169.jpg","width":300,"height":169},"medium":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/fMerike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1-600x338.jpg","width":600,"height":338},"large":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/fMerike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1-1230x692.jpg","width":1230,"height":692},"wordpress_1536x1536":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/fMerike-Estna-Photo-Ana-Hop1-1536x864.jpg","width":1536,"height":864},"wordpress_2048x2048":null}}},"acf":{"article_artist":null,"article_video":null,"article_audio":null,"article_collaboration":"","article_custom_html_snippet":"","article_featured_title":"","article_featured_description":"","article_highlight":false,"article_custom_link_url":"","hero_image":null,"seo_title":"Merike Estna on Representing Estonia at the 61st Venice Biennale","seo_description":"ArtReview sent a questionnaire to artists and curators exhibiting in and curating the various national pavilions of the 2026 Venice Biennale. Merike Estna is representing Estonia; the pavilion is at Calle S. Domenico 1285.","article_related_articles":[{"id":117834,"title":"Genti Korini on Representing Albania at the 61st Venice Biennale","path":"/genti-korini-on-representing-albania-at-the-61st-venice-biennale/","author":{"name":"ArtReview","path":"/author/artreview/"},"category":{"name":"Venice Biennale 2026","path":"/category/venice-biennale-2026/"},"featured_media":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/f7.-Genti-Korini-portrait-image-courtesy-of-the-artist.jpg","caption":"","alt_text":"","media_details":{"width":2000,"height":1126,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/f7.-Genti-Korini-portrait-image-courtesy-of-the-artist-300x169.jpg","width":300,"height":169},"medium":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/f7.-Genti-Korini-portrait-image-courtesy-of-the-artist-600x338.jpg","width":600,"height":338},"large":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/f7.-Genti-Korini-portrait-image-courtesy-of-the-artist-1230x692.jpg","width":1230,"height":692},"wordpress_1536x1536":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/f7.-Genti-Korini-portrait-image-courtesy-of-the-artist-1536x865.jpg","width":1536,"height":865},"wordpress_2048x2048":null}}},"acf":{"article_collaboration":""}},{"id":117692,"title":"The Politics of Russia’s Return to the Venice Biennale","path":"/the-politics-of-russias-return-to-the-venice-biennale-aliide-naylor/","author":{"name":"Aliide Naylor","path":"/author/aliide-naylor/"},"category":{"name":"Opinion","path":"/category/opinion/"},"featured_media":{"source_url":"https://backend.artreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/18_Russian_Pavilion_OPEN_Marco_Cappelletti.jpg","caption":"Russian Pavilion, Venice. 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