Eike Eplik
Eike Eplik is a sculptor and installation artist who is deeply fascinated by biodiversity and its complicated relationship with humankind. She creates sensitive and imaginative works full of personal mythology through different visual expressions and materials such as clay, plaster, metal, wood and ready-made. Echoing philosopher Astrida Neimanis’s idea of water-connected worlds, the artist takes a humble approach to all living things, and in her art, strictly defined categories and hierarchies do not exist. Her creations can be described as micro-worlds inhabited by different creatures in co-existence with fungi and plant forms, including their roots and cones. Animating the life forms and vessels that incubate them, Eplik’s sculptures inhabit the rooms in a way that recalls a bird constructing a nest, or mycelia creating a complicated network of roots.
Eike Eplik (b. 1982, Rapla, Estonia) is an Estonian artist living in Tartu. In her formal education, she received a master’s from the Sculpture Department at the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2010 and a bachelor’s degree from the Sculpture Department at Tartu Art College in 2007. Eplik received the Annual Prize of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia in 2021, the Addo Vabbe Stipend in 2018, the young artist production stipend KUKU NUNNU of the contemporary art festival ART IST KUKU NU UT in 2012, the Eduard Wiiralt Stipend in 2006, and in 2015, she was nominated for the Sadolin Art Prize. Eplik was one of the recipients of the national artist’s salary from 2021 to 2023.
Eplik’s recent exhibitions include White Dwarfs and All Those Beautiful Nebulas at Kim? Contemporary Art Centre, Riga, Latvia (2024–25); Down In The Bog – Sporulation at the Estonian Museum of Contemporary Art (EKKM), Tallinn, Estonia (2024); Emotional Landscapes at Arka Gallery, Vilnius, Lithuania (2023); Growing Out? Growing Up? Contemporary Art Collecting in the Baltics at Zuzeum Art Centre, Riga, Latvia (2022); My Bitter Sweet Frankenstein Body at Titanik, Turku, Finland (2022); Shared Territory at Tartu Art Museum, Tartu, Estonia (2021); and Biomass – Ghost in the Corner at Kogo Gallery, Tartu, Estonia (2020). In 2021, Kogo Gallery presented Eike Eplik’s works at Liste Art Fair Basel.
The artist’s works are part of the collections of the Estonian Art Museum, Tartu Art Museum and the Estonian Ceramics Association, as well as several private collections.
Eike Eplik is represented by Kogo Gallery.
Exhibitions at Kogo
Press and Publications
Publications
Shared Territory and Other Exhibitions From 2011-2021
Artist book, size: 280×220 mm, 296 pages, language: Estonian & English. Tartu Art Museum 2021
Eike Eplik. Biomass – Ghost in the Corner
Exhibition catalogue. Language: Estonian & English. Kogo Gallery 2020
The Girl Who Loved Everything
Exhibition catalogue. Language: Estonian & English. Contemporary art festival ART IST KUKU NU UT 2012
Press
IN ENGLISH
Six Questions for Eike Eplik
Tique, January 2024
An environmental book club that ended with an exhibition
Arterritory, 21.09.2021
Review by Maria Helen Känd of a group exhibition The Bamby Project at Kogo Gallery (27.8.2021 – 30.10.2021)
Plant Punk and Poetics
MAJA, Summer 2021
Essay by Eike Eplik in an Estonian architectural review
Nature constantly shows you that nothing is forever
Arterritory, 8 July 2021
Q&A with the artists Mari-Leen Kiipli, Eike Eplik and curator Šelda Puķīte
Would you dare hold a lizard? Eike Eplik – the artist who has nature nesting in her subconscious
KUNST.EE 2/2021
Kaire Nurk visited Eike Eplik’s solo exhibition Shared Territory and delved deeper into her work
The Biomass Case
Estonian Art, The Anthropocene Issue, 2/2020
Review by Hasso Krull
The Opening Response: Eike Eplik
Umbigo, 12 June 2020
Interview by Josseline Black-Barnett
Ghost in the Corner. Šelda Puķīte interviews Estonian artist Eike Eplik
Echo Gone Wrong, 20 April 2020
Inerview by Šelda Puķīte
Generation of young sculptors as a distinct phenomenon
Estonian Art 2/2013
Article by Marie Vellevoog
IN ESTONIAN
Meie igapäevane kurjus
Sirp 20.4.2021
Review by Kaisa Eiche on a solo exhibition Eike Eplik. Shared Territory at Tartu Art Museum 13.2.2021 – 30.5.2021)
Suur lugu. „Kui pole ruumi, pole ka teoseid“ ehk kus töötavad kunstnikud Tallinnas ja Tartus?
Center For Contemporary Arts, Estonia, 9.11.2020
Q&A by Kaarin Kivirähk and Marika Agu with several artists, including Eike Eplik
Eplik feat. Heinsaar
Sirp, 22.5.2020
Review by Janek Kraavi on a solo exhibition Biomass – Ghost in the Corner by Eike Eplik at Kogo Gallery (13.5.2020 – 30.5.2020)
Mõõn paljastab nii mõndagi
Müürileht, 25.5.2020
Review by Kaisa Eiche on a solo exhibition Biomass – Ghost in the Corner by Eike Eplik at Kogo Gallery (13.5.2020 – 30.5.2020)
Näitus, mis tekitab hajusaid ja ebamääraseid meeleolusid
Postimees, 26.5.2020
Review by Krista Piirimäe on a solo exhibition Biomass – Ghost in the Corner by Eike Eplik at Kogo Gallery (13.5.2020 – 30.5.2020)
Ede Raadik, biomass galeriis, nahkhiired ja taimetervis
Kaisa Ling. Klassikaraadio, ERR, 15.5.2020
Uinuv mõistus sünnitab koletisi
Janar Ala. Postimees, 4.2.2019
Eike Eplik: Võiksin jälle neid mügaraid teha
Postimees, 15.10.2018
Miks just nüüd keraamika ja savi?
Heie Marie Treier. Sirp, 2.11.2018
Kole on varjatud – nagu ikka
Kaire Nurk. Sirp, 13.10.2017
Eike Eplik mängib kaduva iluga
Krista Piirimäe. Postimees, 10.10.2017
Seest siiruviiruline, pealt kullakarvaline
Lilli-Krõõt Repnau. ERR, 10.10.2017
Artishoki Biennaal. Kohtuvad Eplik ja Soans
Hanno Soans. Postimees, 14.10.2016
Artishok Biennale texts about project Staging
Various authors, 2016
Video: Tallinna Linnagaleriis avati Eike Epliku näitus
News clip about the exhibition Some of These Birds Flew on Their Backs. ERR, 23.9.2015
Skulptorid, kes on ajast ja klišeedest üle
Mari Kartau. ERR, 7.10.2015
Intervjuu Eike Eplikuga
Hanna-Liis Kont. Kunst ja avalik ruum, 20.11.2013
Metsamuinasjutt puruvana ja hiirekesega. Vaim skulptuurides.
Ragne Nukk. Puhkepäev (Äripäev), 22.–24.3.2013
Eike Eplik sulatas (rämpsust ja loodusest) ökokatastroofi-kujulise vaagna
Mai Sööt. Postimees, 29.10.2012
Eike Eplik — Tüdruk, kes kõike armastas
Kaisa Eiche. Müürileht nr 22, 2012
CV
Eike Eplik, born 1982 in Rapla, Estonia, lives and works in Tartu, Estonia.
Education
| 2007-2010 | Estonian Academy of Arts, Fine Arts department, sculpture, MA; |
| 2002-2007 | Tartu Art College, sculpture department. |
Solo Exhibitions
| 2021 | Shared Territory. Tartu Art Museum, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2020 | Arbitrary Art. Duo-exhibition with Hando Tamm, Galrii No 1, Äksi, Estonia. |
| 2020 | Biomass — Ghost in the Corner. Kogo Gallery, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2018 | In the Shadow of the Twilight. Duo-exhibition with Imat Suumann, curated by Peeter Talvistu. Tallinn Art Hall Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2018 | Natural. Hobusepea Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2017 | Beauty Salon. Tartu Art House Monumental Gallery, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2016 | Artishok Biennale 2016: Installation „Staging”. Art and criticism event. Theatre No99, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2016 | Eike Eplik / Berit Talpsepp-Jaanisoo. Duo-exhibition with Berit Talpsepp-Jaanisoo. Gallery Noorus, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2015 | Some of These Birds Flew on Their Backs. Tallinn City Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2014 | Kujukuju. Draakoni Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2013 | The Heap. Together with Eleriin Ello and Krista Sokolova. Tartu Art House, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2012 | The Girl Who Loved Everything — personal exhibition of KUKU NUNNU young artist prize winner. Y-Gallery, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2011 | The Tiny Twig. Y-Gallery, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2010 | House and Me — MA thesis at Estonian Academy of Arts. Raja Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia. |
Selected Group Exhibitions
| 2021 | The Bambi Project. Curated by Šelda Puķīte. Kogo Gallery, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2021 | Garden of Forking Sounds. Together with Timo Toots, Aivar Tõnso and Tecnu. Tartu Art House, Estonia. |
| 2020/21 | Home of Good Thoughts. Curated by Rael Artel. Kogo Gallery, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2020 | Time to Dream or Fear? Kogo Gallery, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2019 | The Garden of Forking Paths — annual exhibition of Estonian Sculptors’ Union. Tallinn Botanic Garden, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2015 | Perceptionsphere — joint project at music festival Üle Heli with Tencu (Andres Tenusaar) and ensemble Eeter. Kanuti Gildi SAAL, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2015 | Body Language. Curated by Tiiu Kirsipuu. Tallinn Art Hall, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2015 | Youth Mode — installation „Lick It Up. Be Your Own Pet” in collaboration with Helmi Arrak. Tartu Art Museum, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2014 | Paper Stands for Everything — annual exhibition of Estonian Sculptors’ Union. Design and Architecture Gallery, Tallinn; The Museum of New Art, Pärnu; Saaremaa Art Studio, Kuressaare, Estonia. |
| 2014 | Roadside Picnic. Tartu 1860-2014. Curated by Peeter Talvistu; Tallinn Art Hall, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2014 | Cardigans and Kostabis. Tartu Exhibition Spaces 1990-2014. Curated by Triin Tulgiste. Tartu Art Museum, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2013 | Sculpture Is Space — Estonian Sculptors Union Annual Exhibition. Hobusepea Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia |
| 2013 | Chinatown-installation. Urban Festival Uit, Tartu, Estonia |
| 2013 | My Mythology — small-scale sculpture exhibition. Gallery Noorus, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2011 | Five Moments of Spring. Merikarvia, Finland. |
| 2010 | Sculpture Palimpsest. Nabaklab, Riga, Latvia. |
| 2009 | Ecstasy is the New Frequency!!!! Mask is the Latest Hype!!! Sadamateater, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2009 | Scary Challenge/Raske samm. Tallinn Post Office, Tallinn. Estonia. |
| 2008 | Monuments of Freedom. Maarjamäe castle park, Estonian History Museum, Tallinn, Estoinia. |
| 2007 | Apartment for Rent. Gallery Raja, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2007 | Gull. Lindakivi Culture Center Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia. |
| 2007 | Crocodile Ate Bears Honey. Tartu Art Museum, Tartu, Estonia. |
| 2007 | 2 Beginnings. Athena Center, Tartu, Estonia. |
Prizes
| 2021-2023 | Artists’ and writers’ wage grant, Republic of Estonia Ministry of Culture; |
| 2018 | Ado Vabbe Art Prize; |
| 2015 | Sadolin Art Prize nominee; |
| 2012 | ART IST KUKU NU UT contemporary art festival, young artist prize KUKU NUNNU; |
| 2006 | Eduard Wiiralt’s fund. |
Works in Collections
Tartu Art Museum, Estonia
Private collections in Estonia
Alex Reynolds