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ABOUT
BIO
Marju Must is an Estonian artist born in Tallinn and currently living and working in Helsinki, Finland. She holds a BA in Painting from Tartu Art College, Estonia, and a BA in Interior Architecture from Euroacademy. During her painting studies, she also completed a period of study in the Restoration Department at Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences in Kouvola, Finland. Her artistic practice explores human nature, perception and emotional states through the juxtaposition of elements of reality and surrealism. She uses recognisable imagery to explore feelings, perceptions and inner states, allowing the meaning of an image to extend beyond its literal subject. While her earlier work focused more on realism, detail and the development of technical skills, her recent paintings have moved towards a freer use of paint, where colour, texture and layers become an important part of conveying emotion. Must has been exhibiting since 2012 and has participated in solo and group exhibitions in Estonia and Finland. Her work has also been presented internationally. She has received recognition including an Excellence Award in the International CFA Artist of the Month Competition in Lyon, France, and has been featured in international contemporary art publications.
CV
MARJU MUST Tallinn, Helsinki https://marjumust.com
EDUCATION
2012–2017 Tartu Art College, BA, Painting
2016 Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences, Restoration Department
2006–2011 Euroacademy, BA, Interior Architecture
MEMBERSHIP
Suomen Taiteilijat ry
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2013 “Painted Poems”, Võru Town Gallery, Võru
2012 “Cellar Tales”, Saare County Central Library, Kuressaare
2012 “Cellar Tales”, Orissaare Library, Orissaare
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2026 Finnish Artists Annual Exhibition 58, Valssaamo, Cable Factory, Helsinki. Curator: Niko Saarinen
2026 Group Exhibition “Celebration Within Me / Pidu minus eneses”, Lauda Gallery, Tammuri Farm Restaurant, Valgamaa. Curator: Mia Melanie Saar
2026 Finnish Artists Exhibition “Interpretation / Tulkintaa”, Cultural Center Cruselli, Uusikaupunki. Curator: Vicky Maaranen
2026 Exhibition of auction works “Buy Young Art / Osta noort kunsti”, Art & Tonic Gallery, Tallinn
2026 Touring Photo Exhibition “The Meaning of the Forest / Looduse mõte”, Pernova Nature House, Pärnu
2026 Group Exhibition “Rooting”, The Blue Verve Art Gallery, Helsinki
2026 Estonian Painters Association Annual Exhibition “Ideal Landscapes / Ideaalmaastikud”, MONA – The Museum of New Art, Pärnu. Curator: Jaan Elken
2025 Touring Photo Exhibition “The Meaning of the Forest / Looduse mõte”, Ajamaja Gallery, Kuressaare, Saaremaa
2025 Group Exhibition “Fleeting”, The Blue Verve Art Gallery, Helsinki
2025 Group Exhibition “Insomnia”, The Blue Verve Art Gallery, Helsinki
2025 Finnish Artists Annual Exhibition 57, Valssaamo, Cable Factory, Helsinki. Curator: Niko Saarinen
2025 International Art Show “Highlights & Shadows”, Raud Fine Art Gallery, Chicago, Illinois. Curator: Liina Raud
2025 Expo Metro Barcelona, Passeig de Gràcia metro station, Barcelona, Spain
2025 Finnish Artists Exhibition “Color Harmony / Väriharmoniaa”, Cable Factory Puristamo, Helsinki, Finland. Curator: Vicky Maaranen
2024 Estonian Painters Association Annual Exhibition “Somewhere, Over the Rainbow / Kusagil – üle vikerkaare”, MONA – The Museum of New Art, Pärnu. Curator: Jaan Elken
2023 Finnish Artists Annual Exhibition 55, Valssaamo, Cable Factory, Helsinki. Curator: Maarit Björkman-Väliahdeti
2022 Finnish Artists Annual Exhibition 54, Valssaamo, Cable Factory, Helsinki. Curator: Tero Annanolli
2022 Capital Culture House Gallery “Evocative”, Online Exhibition, Madrid, Spain
2022 Estonian Painters Association Jubilee Exhibition “Love Story / Armastuse lugu”, MONA – The Museum of New Art, Pärnu. Curator: Jaan Elken
2022 Semioculus Group Exhibition “Dark & Surreal Visions”, TYPA Galerii, Tartu. Curators: Dylan Michilsen, Agve Urm
2021 “Fear”, Virtual Exhibition, Krakow, Poland. Curator: Wookash Maciaszkiewicz
2021 Estonian Painters Association Joint Exhibition “How Contemporary is Contemporary? / Kui kaasaegne on kaasaegne?”, Rapla County Centre for Contemporary Art, Rapla. Curator: Jaan Elken
2021 Estonian Painters Association Annual Exhibition “Temporary Area / Ajutine pind”, MONA – The Museum of New Art, Pärnu. Curator: Jaan Elken
2020–2021 Joint Exhibition of Estonian Artists “Break / Paus”, Old-Võromaa Culture House, Võru. Curators: Stella Mõttus, Jana Huul
2020 “Tartu Young Artists Auction / Tartu noore kunsti oksjon”, Tartu Centre for Creative Industries
2016 “Mystification / Müsteerium”, Prima Vista Literary Festival, Gaudeamus, Tartu
2016 “Spring Exhibition / Kevadnäitus”, Jõhvi Art School, Jõhvi
2015 “Route / Tee”, Estonian Artists’ Group Exhibition, Old-Võromaa Culture House, Võru. Curator: Jana Huul
2015 Estonian Painters Association Annual Exhibition “Consistency and Novelty / Järjepidevus ja uudsus”, MONA – The Museum of New Art, Pärnu. Curator: Jaan Elken
2012 “Exhibition-Fair / Näitus-laat”, Gallery Noorus, Tartu
AUCTIONS
2026 Young Artists Auction (Spring), “Inner Circle / Omad Joped”, Art & Tonic Gallery, Tallinn
2020 Tartu Young Artists Auction (Autumn), “Next Stop / Järgmine peatus”, Tartu
RECOGNITION
2022 Excellence Award – 6th International CFA Artist of the Month Competition, Lyon, France
2022 Certificate of Participation – Art Vue Prize Summer 2022, Brussels, Belgium
2022 Featured Artist – Circle Foundation for the Arts, Lyon, France
2022 Finalist – Grey Cube Gallery “Waters” (July)
PUBLICATIONS
2022 “Limitless Nature”, Art Vue Foundation, 3rd edition
2022 “Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine 31”, Circle Foundation for the Arts Press, France, p. 105