About Silja Salmistu

Silja Salmistu is Estonian artist living in Denmark. Since 2016, she is dedicated to soft pastels, with still life as the main subject.

She earned a MFA equivalent degree in painting from Tartu University in 1994, during the transition from collapsed communist regime to modern democracy.

The contrasts can also be traced in her art – strict control with realistic detail here, free improvisation with loose abstract mark-making there; awareness of tradition combined with modern experiments; carefree florals juxtaposed with thought-provoking compositions on hard issues like war, violence, abuse etc., staged as a kid`s play with toys.

Salmistu loves to paint from life, to share the room and time with her objects. She closely observes them and interprates the visual perception, with special focus on light.

Salmistu has exhibited in numerous juried, curated, group and solo shows since 1997 in Europe, USA and online. She is a multiple award and competition winner. Her art has been featured in several international and national art publications.

In 2021, she qualified for Signature member of Pastel Society of America and received the IAPS Master Circle designation. She is also a member of Pastel Guild of Europa and Art du Pastel en France.


Facebook: bySalmik
Instagram: siljasalmistuart

ARTIST STATEMENT
While the world is speeding up and making ever more noise, one may need to find a foothold to keep a balance, to retreat, to take a break.
This is what my art is about. Painting still life,  a silent existence of ordinary things, fruits and flowers, is a meditative process.
I observe light in a room bouncing around the objects, causing colours to appear and interact. It takes and gives a peace of mind.
I work from life, in silence.
I like to have immediate contact with the objects in front of me, to share the room with them, that`s why I prefer to use my own two eyes instead of a camera`s one and only.
I aim to achieve a subtle sensation of movement in the picture space, to give the viewers a feeling of being present and breathe in it.