Helmi Arrak Aurel, Ben, Chloë and Others

Helmi Arrak’s paintings and drawings take the viewer to a private party where the artist has invited his favourites – actors and musicians, inspiring characters and creative people. Dash Snow, PJ Harvey, Patti Smith, Aurel Schmidt, Harmony Korine, Chloë Sevigny, Martina De Pretto, Giosuè Napolitano, Baba Stiltz, Marine Serre, among others. They have joined the party straight from work, some even from bed, and have not dressed nor smarten themselves up for this party called “Aurel, Ben, Chloë and others”. These talented, androgynous and distinctive types feel as free and unforced in their portraits as we could imagine them in their own environment, for example, relaxing on the sofa and fighting a headache on Sunday morning or mulling over mundane thoughts while spreading butter on bread. Similar to the artist Marlene Dumas, whom Helmi Arraku considers one of her role models, the portraits in the exhibition are emotional and tight, yet sketchy and free, allowing the viewer to crawl directly under the skin of their idol through open brushstrokes.

Helmi Arrak (b. 1988) is a multidisciplinary artist in the fields of illustration and fine arts. Helmi received her BA in Painting from the University of Tartu and a degree in Furniture Design at the Tartu Art College. She has created illustrations for the cultural magazine Müürileht and album designs for the band Miljardid, Anna Kaneelina and Erki Pärnoja. Helmi works at the Estonian Theatre for Young Audiences.