The graphic works of Maret Olvet speak about freedom, playfulness and independence –things that are supposed to be characteristic to an artist’s soul. Yet Maret Olvet as an artist who has taken part in exhibitions for over forty years has experienced times when she was to create in oppressing and restrictive conditions. For the artists the new era that began in the last decade of the last century symbolized first of all freedom in artistic creation, a ritual purification process. Together with the new social order new terms, values and priorities were adapted, and Olvet interprets the meaning of those themes and terms through her creative work. Graphic sheets imbued with geometrical shapes and abstract motives carry the modern spirit. Through minimalist generalization the artist interprets both the issues that touch her on the personal level as well as the general-topical ones. The viewer’s imagination at interpreting the idea behind a certain symbol is directed by the laconic yet substantial headings (“Competition”, “Successful”, “Movable”, “Immovable”, “Estonian Icon”) that so eloquently reflect the characteristics of the Estonian society today.

In parallel with the changes in Estonian society Olvet has strived towards abstractionism and generalization in her creative work. The transition from realism to abstractionism took place in the 1990s when she finished the series “Saplings” in intaglio technique. From there Olvet moved already towards more laconic solutions. The graphic sheets displayed in the exhibition are clear, cleaned from superfluous symbols and unimportant figures. The composition of her works is based on the total effect of interlaced and overlapping geometrical shapes, straight and crooked lines, curved and angular surfaces, and the white empty space between them. Yet here and there between the abstract shapes the recognizable images of a boy, a fish and the dollar sign obtain clear outlines, and in the series “Estonian Ballads” one can spot realistic memory images of windmills and farmhouses from the artist’s childhood. The pictures speaking in the language of minimalism are enlivened by the sensitive choice of colors and slightly translucent tonality.

Although Maret Olvet who has been called the grand old lady of Estonian graphics has been actively creative for over forty years, she continues to work with the same energy, passion and devotion. Olvet’s constant need for experimenting shows also in the wide range of her activities – she has been fascinated with the design of books, posters and ex libris since the beginning of her creative work. She is enthusiastic about new ideas and trends, yet at the same time inspired by the aesthetics and methods of traditional art history. By following closely the processes in Estonia and in the world the ideas and trends of the modern times are intuitively reflected in the artist’s creation. Having used mainly intaglio techniques in her graphics since 1970s, Olvet also continues experimenting with different techniques. In the pictures of “Freedom of Choice” where the topical and personal themes are bound together, the viewer can directly experience the joy of improvisation and experimenting, inciting passion for creation and incessant playfulness.