The emerging artist Nelly Drell will be opening her solo exhibition, Rebirth, at the Gallery Viviann Napp, Tallinn, on 21 February at 6.00 pm.

Drell’s interest is raised by situations with an acute societal angle. In February of last year she brought forth her reactions in Estonian Soldiers in Iraq. This time around she deals with the recent tsunami disaster in Thailand.

The works on display in Rebirth were completed at the end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006. The exhibition consists primarily of beach settings divided thematically in two: dramatic scenes of Thai beaches following the tsunami catastrophe and sensual, idyllic plages from undisclosed Estonian locations. Drell travelled to Thailand soon after the tsunami catastrophe and her paintings are based on her first impressions of the devastated villages and traumatised people she encountered including impressions of rescue operations covered by the media. Representing the neorealist and hyperrealist schools, Drell synthesises a photo-like harshness and unfocused frame effect with unrivalled painterly articulation and is not afraid to make use of the intimate salon style.
Admitted into the Estonian Artists’ Association last year, Drell (25) made a name for herself with her first exhibitions a couple of years ago. A student of the Estonian Academy of Art and 2003 graduate of the New York Academy of Art, Drell has a unique role in the context of Estonian art – that of an emerging academic painter with a love for figurative composition who draws on “academic stadium”.

Rebirth will run until 15 March.

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Gallery Viviann Napp
Narva mnt. 15, Tallinn, Estonia
tel:10120 +372-662-3152 / +372-662-3485
e-mail: info@vnapp.com
web: www.vnapp.com