I am a painter working with a theme of landscapes, through which I explore experience, memory and imagination. My interest in this subject has a lot to do with my childhood. I grew up in the South-Estonian countryside, surrounded by lakes, forest, swamps and fields, influencing a lot how I relate to nature.
Most of my paintings are based on my childhood environment, but I am not depicting certain places but rather memories and feelings connected to them. Mostly painting natural landscapes I exclude signs of human presence, putting more focus on human experience rather than their influence. To me it is important to convey a feeling with my work that I felt while confronted with nature, mystery and wonder.
General:
Name: Kristjan Kalde
Date of birth: 27.09.1992
Place of birth: Tartu, Estonia
Residence: Tallinn, Estonia
Contact: kristjan.kalde@gmail.com
Education:
2012-2016 University of the Arts Utrecht (HKU): bachelor of fine art
2008-2012 Tartu Art School: graphic design
Exhibitions:
2019 Ristpiste ja Eesti maastikud, Türi Kultuurikeskuse Kunstigalerii, Türi, EST
2018 Maastikud ja Maastikud, Ihamaru Meemaja, Ihamaru, EST
2018 Siseväli, Tallinn University, Tallinn, EST (solo)
2017 Tajumaa, Tallinn University, Tallinn, EST (solo)
2016 Tartu Kunstikool 65, gallery Noorus, Tartu, EST
2016 HKU Fine Art – Graduation show, Tractieweg 41 studios, Utrecht, NL
2015 I See a Landscape, projectspace KUUB 99, Utrecht, NL (solo)
2015 Our House, temporary projectspace, Utrecht, NL
2014 Luchtkastelen, Castle-Museum Sypesteyn, Loosdrecht, NL
Publications:
2016 Op gespannen voet met de waarheid (At odds with the truth) – article in NRC
2016 HKU FA TWG 2016 – HKU published magazine about 2016 Fine Art graduates
2016 Why paint landscapes? – Thesis