Jüri Ojaver

1955– · Estonian sculptor (born 1955)
Eesti Kunstimuuseum; NOBA; Saaremaa Muuseum; Tartu Kunstimuuseum; Vaal galerii; Veneetsia biennaal, Eesti paviljon

trained at Estonian Academy of Arts

Jüri Ojaver (1955) is mainly known as a sculptor and installation artist, however he also works with video and performance. Ojaver's research-based explorations look into material heritage from the past, often characterised by the absurd and existential dimension of randomness. His works that focus on memory and history are often site-specific. Ojaver began his artistic career as a restorer, working with heritage protected objects in Tallinn Old Town. In the 1980s his sculptures were mostly figurative, using granite, marble and limestone. The changes in society in the 1990s made it possible to discuss events and subjects that were not publicly acknowledged during the Soviet period. Inspired by these developments Ojaver began creating site-specific installations, focusing on sites of memory and history. The works “Niche. Image” (1993) and “Nonexistent Cemetery” (1994) that were exhibited at the annual exhibitions of the Soros Center for Contemporary Arts, Estonia, where they won Grand Prix, act as frames for something that, although physically absent, exists in the memory of people. The absence of matter while a mental image is present, is a universal issue, explorations of which positioned Ojaver as one of the most notable artists in Estonia after the country regained its independence. Ojaver's international success is marked by his participation in the 1995 1st Gwangju Biennale in South-Korea with the work “Father. Son” (1995) In 1999 Ojaver represented Estonia at the Venice Biennale together with Peeter Pere and Ando Keskküla. Jüri Ojaver's work “Keystone” was a two-part waterproof plywood sculpture, exhibited in front of and in the garden of Palazzo Querini. The sculpture was based on the motif of spread legs, placed as a bridge over the canal in front of the palazzo. In the back garden of the palazzo viewers saw an upside down version of the sculpture, legs stretching towards the sky. Ojaver's bridge changed the spatial logic of the building, connecting the water gates of both shores and thus making the kitchen door into its main entrance.

1 auction lots · 0 sold · 2024 — as the auction houses published them; not a valuation

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1 work at NOBA, €10,125. Prices as the galleries state them.

Leo, Mart ,Ants, Jaan ja Otso maitsevad veini loorberipuu vilus
€10,125 · NOBA ↗

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Leo, Mart ,Ants, Jaan ja Otso maitsevad veini loorberipuu vilus
2024 · NOBA

1 works with a picture; the first 1 here, all in the catalogue. Pictures for public-domain works, live gallery listings and the works galleries and artists show on their own pages, from those servers.

Similar artists — same period, media and subjects: Tiiu Kirsipuu · Priit Pärn · Terje Ojaver · Hannes Starkopf · Aili Vahtrapuu · Jaan Toomik

Also trained at Estonian Academy of Arts: Eduard Wiiralt · Evald Okas · Andrus Johani · Johann Naha · Leonhard Lapin

Contemporaries in Eesti Kunstimuuseum: Toomas Kalve · Silva Eher · Marco Laimre · Tiit Raid · Mart Viljus

By decade: 1980s · 1990s · 2000s · 2020s
By medium: Sculpture · Installation · Photograph · Other
Where the works are: Art Museum of Estonia · Tartu Art Museum · Saaremaa Museum

← Jüri Müürisepp · All artists A–Z · Jüri Okas →

Museum records from MuIS and the EKM Digital Collection; gallery stock from the galleries' own catalogues; auction results as Haus Galerii, Vernissage, Allee galerii, Vaal galerii, E-Kunstisalong, Eesti Kunsti Oksjonid and Kunstikoda published them, and the lots Osta Noort Kunsti offered (it publishes no results). Full catalogue · Corrections, removals, questions: info@museaal.ee · Privacy