Mery Crystal Ra “Habemus Papam. Between Two Dawns”

On August 24, 2025, acclaimed Estonian artist Mery Crystal Ra (Meeli Kõiva) will open her new exhibition HABEMUS PAPAM. BETWEEN TWO DAWNS at the historic former Pastorate of Kodavere Church Manor . The show runs until September 30, 2025.

The title references her new painting Habemus Papam, inspired by this year’s papal elections and the hope that a new pope could bring positive change. It also nods to local legend — that Pope John Paul II stayed overnight at the Kodavere rectory during his 1993 visit to Estonia.

The exhibition features expressive acrylic and aquarelle works drawn from the artist’s dreams, rich with symbols of hope, light, and pathways forward. Mery Crystal Ra is celebrated for her bold brushstrokes, luminous color, and ability to merge personal vision with universal themes.

Mery Crystal Ra's rise as a star painter began at New York's top gallery ART 54 in Manhattan in 1997. 

Thomas Lawrence, arts critics, Manhattan Arts magazine: "Mery Crystal Ra's creative philosophy is constantly changing the glass environment through innovative glass and light art. Luminosity, spontaneity and movement are qualities that immediately come to mind when looking at Mery Crystal Ra's abstract work. Water, shadow, reflections and light are inseparable parts of the artist's works. A deep sense of freedom, flexibility and depth. Mery Crystal Ra's glass sculptures often create the illusion that the space around them is constantly changing. This impression has been achieved thanks to the vigorous use of innovative materials and technologies."

Rosemarie Montague-Tiesler, top art guru, art historian, and gallerist, Manhattan, NYC: "Mery Crystal Ra is one of our artists that we exhibited in our art gallery in Soho, New York, in the 90s! She is the Tesla of the art world. She is the most talented and internationally renowned artist of our time!"

The artist was elected European Ambassador of Light in 2014. He has won the European lighting competition Light in the City/Northern Light three times. The experimental - innovative glass-light sculpture "Flying Sheets of Paper," created for Glaston, a Finnish glass company, won the People's Choice Award at the global public art competition of the US CODAworx magazine. World`s leading magazine for public art /architectural art. In the same year, he was selected for the world-famous Sofa Chicago art fair with the same work. Mery Crystal Ra’s exhibition “Parasite Beach” at the Estonian Mining Museum was selected as one of the five Cultural Works of the Year awarded in the Estonian Chamber of Culture competition in 2016. The artist has been nominated for the Kristjan Raud Award several times.

Internationally recognized for her experimental paintings, light sculptures, and glass works, she has exhibited worldwide — from Manhattan’s ART 54 gallery to UNESCO’s Year of Light closing ceremony in Mexico. 

•    August: Saturdays & Sundays, 12:00–17:00
•    September: Saturdays, 12:00–17:00
•    Address: Kodavere, Pargi former Pastorate of Kodavere Church Manor, Peipsiääre Parish
•    For private visits, call +372 517 6390 or email koddafer@gmail.com

Currently on View: Mery Crystal Ra’s solo show INVISIBLE at the Tallinn Television Tower, open until December 31, 2025.

Paintings by Meeli Koiva aka Mery Crystal Ra, Saatchi London
UNESCO  International Year Of Light solo exhibition and Nobel panel LIGHT FOR PEACE FILM link
Awarded PARASITE BEACH FILM Link
Awarded by US CODAworx magazine: Metamorphic, innovative monumental art project mixed paintings/light sculptures /videos: GOLDEN GATE MEETS GOLDEN GATEWAY FILM Link