Yesterday, an international art exhibition featuring Bernadette Pilli and fellow artists opened in Melbourne, showcasing artwork inspired by the Estonian national epic Kalevipoeg. The exhibition titled “Mingle 2024” is truly captivating, and we highly recommend a visit before it closes this Sunday, 3 November 2024.
Bernadette, a renowned artist and Co-Chair of the Melbourne Estonian Society, shared the inspiration behind her remarkable artworks. The idea arose from her reading Kalevipoeg, a story familiar to every Estonian. However, her pieces don’t center on the mighty folk hero himself. Instead, they highlight Linda, Kalevipoeg’s mother, and explore the roles and experiences of women waiting at home while the men are away fighting their battles.
We don’t want to reveal too much, as we’d rather let you enjoy your own experiences and interpretations. However, the author of this article found herself lost in thought, standing before Bernadette’s paintings for quite some time. They convey such powerful stories of women’s strength and vulnerability.
The exhibition also showcases outstanding works by Salvatore Trigila, Linda Robertson and Marija Patterson, along with a collection of drawings by the artists from the Malvern Artists Society life drawing class.
You can visit the exhibition 11am to 5pm daily. Malvern Artists Society gallery, 1297 High Street, Malvern VIC 3144.
Link to more information on this exhibition organised by the Malvern Artists Society is here.
If you’re unfamiliar, then Kalevipoeg is an Estonian national epic poem that tells the story of the heroic character Kalevipoeg, a giant with supernatural strength, who is considered the mythical ancestor of the Estonian people. The poem was written by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald in the 19th century and is based on Estonian folklore, legends, and oral traditions.
The narrative follows Kalevipoeg on various adventures, where he battles against adversaries, faces personal challenges, and explores his destiny. The poem is rich in Estonian mythology, featuring gods, spirits, and magical elements, and serves as an expression of Estonian identity, resilience, and connection to nature. Kalevipoeg has become an essential part of Estonian cultural heritage and is still celebrated in Estonia today, reflecting themes of strength, struggle, and pride in the Estonian landscape and identity.