Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Oil on cardboard. 1969.
Signature: V. OHAKAS 69

In the 1960s, one of the most unique experimenters in Estonian art, Valdur Ohakas (1925-1998), in his “Composition with Mirrors,” treats the theme of active painting in the form of decorative stylization. This approach originated with Picasso, with whose work Ohakas shares many common features. Both were bold experimenters in terms of genres and style and in both paintings, we find a masculinely powerful approach and a sincere love for the flowing forms of women’s bodies.

In the case of women holding mirrors, the object itself becomes a mere detail and the interesting visual solution and the sensual aspect of the composition come to the fore. The abstract space becomes as if part of the women’s bodies, the cloud floating behind the head of the central beauty acts as an illusion of black curls. The hair of the seated lady becomes part of nature at once. Where does the woman end and the world begin? Do they have any boundaries at all?

Text: Katre Palm, Harry Liivrand