Kristiina Kaasik 1943–2024 Harvest Month I - II. 1980

An outstanding pair of works from Kristiina Kaasik’s series of expressive landscapes, which convey not vague impressions of nature but rather the powerful and intense experiences derived from it. The 1980s were among Kaasik’s most significant creative periods, during which she held major exhibitions and received awards.

Kristiina Kaasik graduated from the Art Institute in the theatrical decorator program, but while still at the institute, she joined the avant-garde group ANK’64 as a painter. Subsequently, Kaasik became known as a painter working from nature motifs and gradually moving toward abstract art.

Her work, exploring abstract and powerful color compositions, was unusually expressive in the context of the local art scene. As Kaasik has said: “It is hard to put thoughts into words; it’s better not to think at all while painting, I feel instead. I believe that with vibrant colors, the strong energetic impact of colors, and harmonies, it is possible to transport a person to other realms. Some people will connect with your works, some will not. You cannot please everyone, but that is true for any creative work. The artist’s task is to elevate the viewer. I want my paintings to be spatial, so that a person can almost step inside them.”

Kaasik has also said: “Experiences of nature have often been much stronger than what I have been able to depict. Bright colors, such as various shades of red, help convey, to some extent, the joy experienced in nature. Everything blends together; pure sensation and pure color are very rare. Every color, every tone is influenced by the surrounding colors. While painting, the lived experience—even a brighter memory—mixes with the mood of that day, that hour.”