Eesti kunsti oksjonid

Drawing ink, on the base of a cake box. ~1958-1960.
Signature: VOhakas

Valdur Ohakas (1925-1998) and Ülo Sooster were good friends, united not only by their art but also by the harsh memories of their time in a prison camp. Ohakas has portrayed his friend with great sympathy here. The portrait of Sooster demonstrates Ohakas’ masterful use of ink and the artist’s hatching lines are in sync with the style of Sooster’s drawings, which is a kind of homage to his friend’s drawing style.

The portrait is both realistic – Sooster’s face is clearly recognizable – and modernist when you look at the hatching technique, the strongly emphasized silhouette, and the addition of a second portrait silhouette to the composition, reminiscent of the popular 19th Century scissor cuts.

The portrait on the bottom of the cake box also tells the story of its era. About how cake was always eaten when visiting, and how in moments of creative passion, the first material that came across was grabbed. And also about how art can be made at any time and in spite of any obstacles…

Text: Harry Liivrand