Appreciated Glass Artist 2020-2021 / Nominees’ exhibition
Kati Kerstna, Merle Kannus, Rait Prääts
2.11.–19.11.2022
OKAPI Gallery

The Estonian Glass Artists’ Union has awarded the honorary title “Appreciated Glass Artist” for the tenth time. The award is given over two years, focusing on explaining the laureate’s work and professional activities in recent years. Looking back on the difficult corona years of 2020 and 2021, the Estonian Glass Artists’ Union chose Merle Kannus, Kati Kerstna, and Rait Prääts as nominees for the honorary title.

The award will be presented at the Okapi gallery on November 2 at 6 pm, where the joint exhibition ¨empiria¨ of the three nominees will be opened on this occasion. Maarja Mäemets put together an exhibition of the works of authors active in the international art life, explaining her momentum: “Kati Kerstna, Merle Kannus, and Rait Prääts are united by their characteristic empirical observation of man and the systems he creates, which is transferred various ways into the artists’ work. Through sharp personal observations, layered narratives take shape in glass. Among others, satire, conflict, and realisation are recurring keywords in all three nominees’ works ¨.

¨Appreciated Glass Artist 2020-2021¨ is selected by a jury composed of Elo Liiv (sculptor, installation artist, pedagogue), Anneli Porri (art theorist, art critic, pedagogue), Karin Vicente (art theorist, program manager-curator of the Adamson-Eric Museum), Tiina Sarapu (glass artist) and Puhkan (ceramist, professor at the Estonian Academy of Arts).

The year 2022 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Glass. This material with a long history plays an irreplaceable role in many fields (technology, economy, environment, culture, medicine, etc.). The Estonian Glass Artists’ Union events are dedicated to the International Year of Glass.

We thank our sponsors:
Klaasissepa OÜ
Aindhooven OÜ
Anora Estonia AS

Photo: Mati Hiis