Kaljo Põllu


Kaljo Põllu was an Estonian artist. In 1962 he received a diploma in glass art, and became director of art cabinet of Tartu State University; he founded the contemporary artist's group Visarid in 1966 in Tartu. In 1973 he moved to Tallinn, where from 1975 to 1996 he taught drawing in the Estonian Academy of Arts; at this point his art changed in style dramatically as he searched for influences from ancient Finno-Ugric culture.
In 2007 the University of Tartu gave Põllu their "Contribution to Estonian National Identity" award.

Creative career

  • 1959–1962 first independently created graphic and painting works during studies in the art academy

Tartu period

  • 1962–1975 graphic works on impressions from travels in Estonia, Koola peninsula and Transcaucasia
  • 1963–1972 abstract, pop-like and op-like graphic artwork and paintings
  • 1967–1972 establishing and directing the artistic group "Visarid"
  • 1973–1975 collection "Kodalased" of mezzotinto graphic works

Tallinn period

  • 1978–1984 collection "Kalivägi" of mezzotinto graphic works
  • 1987–1991 collection "Taevas ja maa" of mezzotinto graphic works
  • 1991–1995 collection "Kirgastumine" of mezzotinto graphic works
  • 1994–2008 created more than 100 paintings on figurative impossibleness and seemingly three-dimensionality
  • 1998–2003 establishing and directing the artistic group "YDI"

Personal exhibitions outside Estonia (selection; all graphics exhibitions)

Exhibition catalogues published outside Estonia about Kaljo Põllu

There have been published approx. 30 titles on Kaljo Põllu's artwork in newspapers and journals outside Estonia.