"Departure from the Island of Kythera"
The exhibition is a tribute to the work of Agu Pilt and a poetic dialogue with Toomas
Volkmann.
The exhibition brings together watercolors by Agu Pilt (1951–2002) and a photo series by Toomas Volkmann (1961). The works reflect a time of change, when Pilt remained faithful to his camp-inspired, pop art-influenced erotic vision, which no longer fit within the framework of conceptual art. The exhibition highlights both an art-historical background and a personal retrospective. Volkmann engages with Pilt’s glamorous personality and colorful biography, creating a dialogue that is at once a poetic farewell and a tribute to an era that has irreversibly passed.
Agu Pilt (1951–2002) was an Estonian costume designer, watercolorist, and book illustrator. He studied history at the University of Tartu and developed his artistic skills under the guidance of Kaljo Põllu. In 1972, he joined Tõnis Vint’s group Studio 22, which influenced his artistic development and broadened his creative horizons. Pilt worked with several Estonian theaters, and his works have also been exhibited internationally. His art is known for its distinctive style, imaginative richness, and masculine eroticism, often addressing themes of gender and identity. He became a member of the Estonian Artists’ Association in 1993.
Toomas Volkmann (1961) is one of Estonia’s most acclaimed photographers, known for creating some of the most iconic works in the field of fashion. He studied medicine at the University of Tartu from 1979 to 1982, graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre’s Drama School in 1986, and sang with Hortus Musicus from 1989 to 1993. In 1993–1994 he studied photography in London. Since 1995, he has worked as a freelance photographer, collaborating with virtually all Estonian media outlets. He has been active in exhibition work since 1979 in both Estonia and abroad, and has also been a guest lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts and Tartu Art School. His most recent and largest exhibition to date was “Full of the Past” at Fotografiska (2023–2024).
The exhibition is open until October 11.
Thanks: Sven Pertens, Harry Liivrand, Linnar Priimägi, Tõnu Õnnepalu, Kristo Viiding, Marta Vaarik, Lembi Randma, Kristina Märtin, Kaire Guthan, Andres Toodo
Graphic design: Janno Saft
Technical support: Matti Kapanen
Supporters: Estonian Cultural Endowment, Viljandi City Government
The exhibition brings together watercolors by Agu Pilt (1951–2002) and a photo series by Toomas Volkmann (1961). The works reflect a time of change, when Pilt remained faithful to his camp-inspired, pop art-influenced erotic vision, which no longer fit within the framework of conceptual art. The exhibition highlights both an art-historical background and a personal retrospective. Volkmann engages with Pilt’s glamorous personality and colorful biography, creating a dialogue that is at once a poetic farewell and a tribute to an era that has irreversibly passed.
Agu Pilt (1951–2002) was an Estonian costume designer, watercolorist, and book illustrator. He studied history at the University of Tartu and developed his artistic skills under the guidance of Kaljo Põllu. In 1972, he joined Tõnis Vint’s group Studio 22, which influenced his artistic development and broadened his creative horizons. Pilt worked with several Estonian theaters, and his works have also been exhibited internationally. His art is known for its distinctive style, imaginative richness, and masculine eroticism, often addressing themes of gender and identity. He became a member of the Estonian Artists’ Association in 1993.
Toomas Volkmann (1961) is one of Estonia’s most acclaimed photographers, known for creating some of the most iconic works in the field of fashion. He studied medicine at the University of Tartu from 1979 to 1982, graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre’s Drama School in 1986, and sang with Hortus Musicus from 1989 to 1993. In 1993–1994 he studied photography in London. Since 1995, he has worked as a freelance photographer, collaborating with virtually all Estonian media outlets. He has been active in exhibition work since 1979 in both Estonia and abroad, and has also been a guest lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts and Tartu Art School. His most recent and largest exhibition to date was “Full of the Past” at Fotografiska (2023–2024).
The exhibition is open until October 11.
Thanks: Sven Pertens, Harry Liivrand, Linnar Priimägi, Tõnu Õnnepalu, Kristo Viiding, Marta Vaarik, Lembi Randma, Kristina Märtin, Kaire Guthan, Andres Toodo
Graphic design: Janno Saft
Technical support: Matti Kapanen
Supporters: Estonian Cultural Endowment, Viljandi City Government