Külliki Järvila’s exhibition 'Apocalyptic 7'

On 28 August at 5:00 PM Külliki Järvila’s exhibition Apocalyptic 7 will open at the Vabaduse Gallery. The apocalypse referred to in the title is a Greek word that means ‘removing the cover’ or ‘revealing the hidden’ – the exhibition should be read as a vision of the world, and the role humans play in preserving it.

At the exhibition, Järvila presents energetic images of all five elements, which resonate with the numerological base of the universe. The four classical elements or the foundation of the world: fire, water, air and earth depend on the happy human or the fifth element. The number one represents the original idea, but it is immobile. When the number two appears next to it, movement begins to occur, opposites arise. The number seven is considered a lucky number. The world created in seven days recognizes the seventh day as a holy day, a day of rest. The seven notes of the musical scale and the seven colours of the rainbow shape the human soul through music and art, making it happy. And a happy soul lives in the heart. Happiness is a subtle energy which is expressed through love. The heart of our universe is the Sun – a powerful fire energy. Several works in the exhibition have been dedicated to the Sun and love.

The human soul is often compared to a bird. The bird flies and humans would like to fly as well – to be free as a bird whose soul is as light as a feather. Or as Maurice Maeterlinck aptly pointed out: more important than finding the blue bird is the journey to it. Searching for her own blue bird through art, Järvila takes the world apart, only to put it back together in her own unique way.

Külliki Järvila (b. 1954) is a graphic artist, watercolourist, calligrapher and art teacher whose creative path has spanned over four decades.
She was born in Tallinn and studied graphic art at the Estonian Academy of Arts (at the time the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR) from 1974 to 1980. After graduating from the academy, Järvila has participated in solo and group exhibitions in Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Canada, Italy and France.

Since 1983, Järvila lives and works in Saaremaa. Her unique creative style – in graphic art, watercolour and calligraphy – has become one of the hallmarks of Saare County. Külliki is one of the most well-known and renowned artists from Saaremaa, whose works combine classical mastery and poetic sensitivity. Järvila is a member of the Estonian Artists’ Association. In 2004, she opened the Humala House Gallery in the old town of Kuressaare.

On Thursday, 10 September from 5:00–7:00 PM, a tour introducing all of the exhibitions of the Estonian Artists’ Association’s galleries will be held. 

The exhibition Apocalyptic 7 will be opened on 28 August at 5:00 PM and it will remain open at the Vabaduse Gallery until 30 September 2026.

The gallery is supported by the Estonian Ministry of Culture, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Liviko Ltd and the City of Tallinn.
The activities of the Vabaduse Gallery are managed by the Estonian Artists’ Association.