Book “Ülo Sooster”

Ülo Sooster (1924–1970) was one of Estonia’s most influential artists and a leading figure in the Moscow avant-garde movement. From the junipers of Hiiumaa to the capital of the Soviet empire, his journey took him through the Pallas Art School, the German army, and the Karaganda labor camp. The first solo exhibition of this talented artist, who passed away young, was held posthumously at the Tartu Art Museum.

This book is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Ülo Sooster’s birth and accompanies the exhibition “Sooster 100. A View from Private Collections” at the Mikkel Museum (October 18, 2024–May 4, 2025).

This publication is not an exhibition catalog but rather a profound exploration of various aspects of Sooster’s work. It seeks to analyze the artist’s creations within the complex context of his time and from the perspective of the present day, through the eyes of a 21st-century researcher or viewer. We know that every generation rewrites history. In the case of artists, this is even more true, as changing societies have different values and seek answers to new questions. However, a truly great artist like Ülo Sooster offers diverse and ever-new answers, providing profound experiences for generations increasingly removed from his time.

New themes and perspectives, introduced by the authors of the articles, expand upon existing knowledge of the artist’s life and work. These interpretations significantly broaden previous narratives. The book also includes a large number of reproductions, among which are many works previously unseen by the local audience and lacking detailed prior research.

Editors and Compilers: Liisa Kaljula, Elnara Taidre
Contributors: Julia Tatiana Bailey, Liisa Kaljula, Kadri Mägi, Aare Pilv, Jane A. Sharp, Elnara Taidre, Andreas Trossek
Graphic Design and Image Processing: Tuuli Aule

Dimensions: 21.5 × 26 cm

304 pages, hardcover

Languages: Estonian and English, illustrated

Published by: Estonian Art Museum – Mikkel Museum, Tallinn 2024

ISBN: 978-9949-687-57-2

Pick it up yourself

Come and pick it up at our museum store at Raekoja plats 18, Tartu, 51004.

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