HUNDRED LAPS AROUND THE POND, HUNDRED LAPS AROUND THE BUSH
Maarja Nurk
X
On Wednesday, March 5th at 18.00, Maarja Nurk’s exhibition Hundred Laps Around the Pond, Hundred Laps Around the Bush will open at Hobusepea Gallery. The exhibition will be open until March 31, 2025.
Maarja Nurk: “The fabric absorbs colour just as it does a coffee stain. The water in the fountain circulates, endlessly repeating itself and its form. The pond is stagnant. And I look at the trees and bushes.
My gaze gets caught in an unfathomable density, reducing it to conceptual, somber, and graphic surfaces. A little self-mockingly, and at times giving myself agency. Briefly engaging with the imagery – animated, grotesque, personifying – or ambitiously tackling a detailed landscape motif.
One layer, amidst this opulence of detail, consists of dense hatched or patterned surfaces. While the repeating of patterns might be a search for a constant or a means of organising one’s thoughts, getting entangled and immobilised in them evokes the notion that “I am this stagnant pond.” A stagnant and overgrown pond with a fountain spouting at its far end.
Amidst the repetition and intense density, a desire to understand emerges: through which gaze, from which perspective, and with what preconceived notions do I perceive the landscape? Perhaps, to truly engage, one must don a black blindfold, hold a black Claude glass, and circle the pond one hundred times, circling the bush another hundred.”
The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.
The artist thanks: Line Wasner, Theo Hermann.
Exhibitions in Hobusepea gallery are supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian Ministry of Culture, and Liviko AS.
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
02.04.-28.04.2025
Zody Burke (EE/US)
Zody Burke (EE/US)
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
30.04.-26.05.2025
Anita Kremm
Anita Kremm
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
28.05.-30.06.2025
Danel Kahar
Danel Kahar
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
02.07.-28.07.2025
Jenny Grönholm
Jenny Grönholm
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
Jenny Grönholm (1988) mainly focuses on painting in her artist's practice and depicts daily motifs of animals and people in her life. These otherwise bright details of her everyday have been enshrouded by steadfast melancholy colours, thus turning the artwork seemingly inaccessible and unreliable for the viewers. Scenes in her paintings rather tend to have the effect of emerging memories than real situations. Her work is often formed into series representing one and the same repetitive motif, thus emphasizing even more the chronological indetermination and impossibility to escape the dreamlike situation. Despite the uncannily monotonous daily life depicted in Grönholm's work, the effect is not oppressive but rather soothingly peaceful if one accepts the repetitive pattern. Jenny Grönholm has obtained BA degree in the department of printmaking and MA degree in the department of installation and sculpture at the Estonian Academy of Arts. She has taken part in personal and group exhibitions both in Estonia and abroad. Currently living and working in Virtsu and Tallinn, combining her artist's practice with observing the roe deer.
30.07.-25.08.2025
Al Paldrok
Al Paldrok
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
27.08.-22.09.2025
Juss Heinsalu & Kim Morgan (CA)
Juss Heinsalu & Kim Morgan (CA)
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
24.09.-20.10.2025
Tallinn Photomonth
Tallinn Photomonth
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
22.10.-17.11.2025
Danel Ülper & Hedi Kuhi
Danel Ülper & Hedi Kuhi
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
19.11.-15.12.2025
Sandra Sirp
Sandra Sirp
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
17.12.-26.01.2026
Tuomas Lehtomaa (FI) & Petra Vehviläinen (FI)
Tuomas Lehtomaa (FI) & Petra Vehviläinen (FI)
Maarja Nurk (1987) currently resides and works in Berlin. She has studied painting at the University of Tartu, at the University of Greifswald, and in the master’s programme at the Estonian Academy of Art. In addition to her solo exhibitions in Estonia, Nurk has participated in numerous group exhibitions across Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Russia, Norway, the United States, and Germany. Her practice primarily revolves around conceptual and process-driven drawing and painting, with a focus on long-term processes, repetition, and intricate graphic structures. By emphasising process, her work often extends into performative formats, as well as photo and video art.
hobusepea gallery
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draakon gallery
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SAMURAI HORIZON
Madlen Hirtentreu
X
On Wednesday, March 5 at 6 p.m. Madlen Hirtentreu will open her solo exhibition “Samurai Horizon” at Draakoni Gallery. The exhibition will remain open until March 29.
slow and fast
peace and greed
grace and speed
soil and air
A village Teletubby, modeled oneself after old discoveries of forest beliefs, finds itself in mid of adventurous carousel ride.
Cast: Wooden Ronda, Imaginary hitman Ghost Dog, support avatars magnetXreme & Dolphin Delighter, icon Sword Forest, Naive but brave Teletubby, Pirate Swan etc.
Theme song: Umut Özcan, Sami Baha
Supporters: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Konesko Autotarvik.
The artist’s gratitude goes to: Jaan August Viirand, Mart Kuusk, Konesko, Mart Hirtentreu, Johanna Ruukholm, Karmo Järv, Maarja Tõnisson, Adelle-Kristelle Lehtorg, EKA Keraamika, Ahto Härm, Gert Marmor, Villu Mustkivi, Jaanus Korka, Rünno Mander, Andres Juul, Anita Kremm, Umut Özcan, Sami Baha.
Exhibitions at Draakon gallery are supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian Ministry of Culture, and Liviko AS.
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
31.03.-26.04.2025
Tiiu Kirsipuu
Tiiu Kirsipuu
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
28.04.-24.05.2025
Marje Üksine
Marje Üksine
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
26.05.-28.06.2025
Marleen Suvi
Marleen Suvi
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
Marleen Suvi (1998) has graduated from the department of painting in the faculty of fine art at the Estonian Academy of Arts (2020) and currently acquiring MA degree in contemporary art programme at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Marleen Suvi is examining the interwovenness between body, human soul and the universe. While writing haikus, the artist contemplates on empty phrases arisen from subconsciousness that sometimes seem to belong to someone else. She prefers to work with glass and oil on canvas. Among her recently held exhibitions are So That the Body Does not Forget (Vent Space Project Room, 2021) and Collective Measure (Haapsalu City Gallery, 2019).
30.06.-26.07.2025
Liisa Kruusmägi
Liisa Kruusmägi
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
Liisa Kruusmägi was born in Tallinn in 1988. She has obtained BA degree in the department of painting and MA degree in drawing at the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2013. Kruusmägi has taken additional courses in Rhode Island School of Design and participated in residence programmes in James Black Gallery (Vancouver), AIRY and Yosuga (Japan) and Kitokia Grafika risograph studio (Lithuania). She has held personal exhibitions in Portugal, Sweden, Canada, Japan, USA, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany and Estonia. She has participated in group exhibitions in London, Berlin, Slovakia, Italy, Finland and Russia. Liisa Kruusmägi is a freelance artist who mostly uses painting and drawing and works as an illustrator. She is a member of the Estonian Artists' Association since 2013.
28.07.-23.08.2025
Mari-Leen Kiipli
Mari-Leen Kiipli
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
25.08.-20.09.2025
Hedi Jaansoo & Juliana Lindenhofer (AT)
Hedi Jaansoo & Juliana Lindenhofer (AT)
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
Hedi Jaansoo (1989) is an artist and photographer living and working in Tallinn. She has graduated from the department of contemporary art at the Estonian Art Academy (MA, 2018), department of photography at the same academy (BA, 2014) and studied in Norway, Bergen Academy of Art and Design (2021/13). She mostly works with tiny and fragile objects, flowers, uncertainties, intuitions and sensibilities. In her latest artistic practice she combines photography, textile and clay, nonfunctional accessories, unfinished thoughts and shifting decisions, yearnings and conflicting desires.
22.09.-18.10.2025
Ron Verlin
Ron Verlin
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
20.10.-15.11.2025
Tanel Rander
Tanel Rander
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
Tanel Rander (1980) is an artist, curator, and writer (also goes by the pseudonyme chaneldior), whose creative work includes experimental practices based in language and psychology, and critical study of Eastern-European discourse and decolonisation. The focus of Rander’s work is the tension between subjectivity and the modifying pressure it experiences between interior and exterior. Rander has worked as a lawyer and attorney, since 2009 he is a freelance artist. In 2018 he initiated the independent exhibition space ‘Brivibas Galerija’ in Valka.
17.11.-13.12.2025
Kirke Kangro
Kirke Kangro
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
Kirke Kangro works with installation, sculpture, video and performance, the results of which are clearly characterized by purified metaphors. In her installative artwork, Kangro uses minimalist and somewhat lyrical means to analyze the spatial situations and to make paradoxical outings. Her practice focuses on the language of conceptual materials and the construction of meaning – looking for the boundaries of human imagination and expanding on the universal ideas of the environment and existence. She has curated several international exhibitions and works as a professor and a dean of the faculty of fine arts at the Estonian Academy of Arts.
15.12.-10.01.2026
Art Allmägi
Art Allmägi
Madlen Hirtentreu (1993) is an Estonian multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture and site-specific installations. She finished her BA in Visual Communication in Milan Istituto Europeo di Design and graduated 2018 MA in Fine Art, Sculpture and Installation at Estonian Academy of Arts. Currently, Hirtentreu is studying Jewellery and Blacksmithing.
Her artistic approach is rooted in an exploration of memory, history, and materiality, often blurring the lines between archaeology, speculative fiction, and industrial aesthetics. Sculptures and installations that function as both excavations of the past and visions of possible futures.
Her work often take form of ghostly, hybrid fragmented bodies or abandoned structures, evoking the sense of something that once was but no longer fully exists. The work frequently suggests an absence or a missing presence.
Art Allmägi (1983) is a sculptor and installation artist. He has studied sculpture at the Pallas University of Applied Sciences (BA, 2008) and the Estonian Academy of Arts (MA, 2011). Allmägi's exhibition projects are characterised by a thematic seriality. In this exhibition series, the author explores creation based on collaboration. Previous exhibition series have been Russia-themed and narrative-centric.
HOBUSEPEA
GALERII
Avatud
E, K-P 11.00–18.00
Hobusepea 2, Tallinn, 10133
DRAAKONI
GALERII
Avatud
E-R 11.00–18.00
L 11.00-17.00
Pikk 18, Tallinn, 10133
phone: +372 6 464 110
e-mail:
e-mail:
