Maarja Mäemets (born December 4, 1991, in Estonia) is a glass artist and yogini. Her work explores the ever-changing landscapes of emotions, thoughts, and circumstances. Mäemets believes in the relentless flow of life, viewing stagnation as a fleeting illusion. Her artistic expression is rich with narratives and symbols, weaving intricate stories that reflect her affinity for multilayered storytelling. This passion naturally drives her to work across various mediums.
Maarja Mäemets holds a BA (2015) and an MA (2018) in glass art from the Estonian Academy of Arts. In 2017, she studied for a semester at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna in Heimo Zobernig’s class, where her multidisciplinary approach as an artist began to unfold. She is currently pursuing a second MA degree in the Craft Studies program at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Mäemets primarily creates site-specific installations and seeks out unusual exhibition environments, including underwater depths. The beauty of words and writing plays a vital role in the concepts and spaces she creates along her artistic journey. Mäemets has participated in international exhibitions in Ukraine, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and China, as well as numerous exhibitions in Estonia. In 2017, she won first place at the Bild-Werk Frauenau Student Prize competition in Germany with her work "Underwater Love," a glass object that was submerged and photographed underwater. Her diploma work, "Sadness Factory," was a finalist for the Stanislav Libensky Award 2018 in Prague, Czech Republic. Mäemets is a member of the Estonian Glass Artists’ Union and the Estonian Artists’ Association. Since 2018, she has worked as a freelance artist, photographer, and teacher. |
Photo: Anna-Maria Vaskovskaja
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MAARJA MÄEMETS
artist / curator / teacher
Born in Estonia, currently living and working in Stockholm
EDUCATION
2024–Present: Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts, and Design, Craft Program (Exchange Year)
2023–Present: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design, MA in Craft Studies
2017–2019: Olustvere Service and Rural Economy School, Assistant Glassblower Studies
2015–2018: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design, MA in Glass Art
2016–2017: Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Faculty of Contextual Sculpture (Exchange Semester)
2012–2015: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design, BA in Glass Art
RECOGNITIONS
2024: Recognized Glass Artist 2022/23 nominee
2018: Finalist, Stanislav Libenský Award, Prague, Czech Republic
2017: First Prize, Bild-Werk Frauenau Student Prize, Frauenau, Germany
SCHOLARSHIPS
2024: Estonian Academy of Arts Scholarship for Professional Development
2023: Nordic Culture Point Mobility Programme Grant
2017: Ene Silla Scholarship for MA Glass Art Studies
2017: Maks Roosma Creative Scholarship for Outstanding Glass Art Student
2016: Ott Kikkas Private Entrepreneur Scholarship for Outstanding Glass Art Student
2014: Ene Silla Scholarship for BA Glass Art Studies
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
2022–Present: Guest Lecturer, Glass Art Department, Estonian Academy of Arts
2021–2022: Designer and Illustrator for Debut Poetry Books, Collaboration with Värske Rõhk Magazine
2019–Present: Teacher of Digital Portfolio, Photo Manipulation, and Vector Graphics, Sally Stuudio Art School
2018–Present: Freelance Artist, Designer, and Studio Owner, ARS Project Space
2017–2022: Arts and Crafts Teacher, Huvikool Loomekoda
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE / PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
2024: EAA Muhu Art Residency, Muhu, Estonia
2022: Mazzano Romano Residency, Italy (Väino Tanner Foundation)
2021: Copper Leg Art Residency, Vaskjala, Estonia
2018: GlassEST Residency, The Glass Factory Boda, Sweden
2018: Professional Practice, GlassPoint Studio, Riga, Latvia
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS / COLLABORATIONS
2023: DAMA 33 Workshop Enlightened Boredom, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
2020: 4th International GlassJazz Symposium, Glasremis Studio, Panevėžys, Lithuania
2019: Workshop on Handblown Glass Design by Torsten Rötzsch and Eili Soon, Olustvere Glassblowing Studio, Estonia
2017: Experimental Hot Glass Workshop by James Labold and John Moran, Bild-Werk Frauenau, Germany
2017: Collaborative Project New Archaeology with Kazushi Nakada, Tallinn, Estonia
2016: Collaborative Project Estonian Poetry in the Old SUVA Sock Factory with Kazushi Nakada, Estonia
2016: 10th International Blown Glass Symposium, Lviv, Ukraine
2016: International Art Project Things of Water, Vilnius Art Academy, Nida, Lithuania
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023: liivaloss / sand castle, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2022: sabotöör / saboteur, Jakobi Gallery, Tartu, Estonia
2017: aega on küll / there’s time, Positiiv Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025: Upcoming: Unfortunately, You Were Not Selected This Time, Tartu Art House, Estonia
2025: Upcoming: Tactile Baltics, Milan, Italy
2024: Recognized Glass Artist 2022/23, Nominees Exhibition, Okapi Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2024. Imagine, Glass and Print Exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2024: Next: Young European Design, Berlin Design Week, Berlin, Germany
2023: Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition Vol. 2, Kondase Keskus, Viljandi, Estonia
2023: The Venice Glass Week HUB Under 35, Palazzo Loredan, Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Venice, Italy
2023: salvesta kui / save as (with Andra Jõgis), Pärnu City Gallery, Pärnu, Estonia
2023: GENIUS LOC IV: Life. 1628. 1928. 2023, Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, Reigi Pastorate
2021: pillows–blankets (with Andra Jõgis), Hiiumaa Art Gallery, Kärdla, Estonia
2021: Colours of Corals, with Painter and Illustrator Liisa Kruusmägi, HOP Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2021: Current Realities, Levant Art Gallery, Shanghai, China
2021: The Voice of Glass Collaborative, Latvian National Museum of Art, Riga, Latvia
2020: Colour – RED II, Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, City Gallery of Rakvere, Estonia
2020: Colour – RED, Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2020: under the water on the moon II, Okapy Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2020: under the water on the moon, Rummu Quarry, Harjumaa, Estonia
2018: ARS Concept – Estonian Art, T1 Mall of Tallinn, Estonia
2018: Stanislav Libensky Award 2018, DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic
2018: Glass @ The Forge, Craft Central, London, United Kingdom
2017: Kooskõla. Ongoing / Going on, Haus Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2016: 10th International Blown Glass Symposium, Lviv, Ukraine
2015: Interpretation, Mentzentorffs’ House, Riga, Latvia
CURATED EXHIBITIONS
2024: Dark Ground, Collaborative exhibition with Tiina Sarapu, HOP Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2021: Colour – RED 2.0, EGAU's Annual Exhibition, The White Hall of the Kohtla-Järve Oil Shale Museum
2020: Colour – RED, Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
WORKS IN COLLECTIONS
2024: Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Tallinn, Estonia
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2024: Online coverage on the platform Designboom (designboom.com)
2024: Magazine Design, Interior, and Architecture
2024: Magazine Kodu & Aed
2024: Magazine DIIVAN
2022: Estonian Photo Magazine POSITIIV
2019: Estonian Photo Magazine POSITIIV
2018: New Glass Review, published by Corning Museum of Glass
2017: GLASSHOUSE, International magazine for studioglass
2015: Estonian Photo Magazine POSITIIV
2015: Estonian Architecture Magazine MAJA
UNIONS
Since 2018: Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Since
2019: The Estonian Artists' Association
artist / curator / teacher
Born in Estonia, currently living and working in Stockholm
EDUCATION
2024–Present: Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts, and Design, Craft Program (Exchange Year)
2023–Present: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design, MA in Craft Studies
2017–2019: Olustvere Service and Rural Economy School, Assistant Glassblower Studies
2015–2018: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design, MA in Glass Art
2016–2017: Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Faculty of Contextual Sculpture (Exchange Semester)
2012–2015: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design, BA in Glass Art
RECOGNITIONS
2024: Recognized Glass Artist 2022/23 nominee
2018: Finalist, Stanislav Libenský Award, Prague, Czech Republic
2017: First Prize, Bild-Werk Frauenau Student Prize, Frauenau, Germany
SCHOLARSHIPS
2024: Estonian Academy of Arts Scholarship for Professional Development
2023: Nordic Culture Point Mobility Programme Grant
2017: Ene Silla Scholarship for MA Glass Art Studies
2017: Maks Roosma Creative Scholarship for Outstanding Glass Art Student
2016: Ott Kikkas Private Entrepreneur Scholarship for Outstanding Glass Art Student
2014: Ene Silla Scholarship for BA Glass Art Studies
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
2022–Present: Guest Lecturer, Glass Art Department, Estonian Academy of Arts
2021–2022: Designer and Illustrator for Debut Poetry Books, Collaboration with Värske Rõhk Magazine
2019–Present: Teacher of Digital Portfolio, Photo Manipulation, and Vector Graphics, Sally Stuudio Art School
2018–Present: Freelance Artist, Designer, and Studio Owner, ARS Project Space
2017–2022: Arts and Crafts Teacher, Huvikool Loomekoda
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE / PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
2024: EAA Muhu Art Residency, Muhu, Estonia
2022: Mazzano Romano Residency, Italy (Väino Tanner Foundation)
2021: Copper Leg Art Residency, Vaskjala, Estonia
2018: GlassEST Residency, The Glass Factory Boda, Sweden
2018: Professional Practice, GlassPoint Studio, Riga, Latvia
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS / COLLABORATIONS
2023: DAMA 33 Workshop Enlightened Boredom, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
2020: 4th International GlassJazz Symposium, Glasremis Studio, Panevėžys, Lithuania
2019: Workshop on Handblown Glass Design by Torsten Rötzsch and Eili Soon, Olustvere Glassblowing Studio, Estonia
2017: Experimental Hot Glass Workshop by James Labold and John Moran, Bild-Werk Frauenau, Germany
2017: Collaborative Project New Archaeology with Kazushi Nakada, Tallinn, Estonia
2016: Collaborative Project Estonian Poetry in the Old SUVA Sock Factory with Kazushi Nakada, Estonia
2016: 10th International Blown Glass Symposium, Lviv, Ukraine
2016: International Art Project Things of Water, Vilnius Art Academy, Nida, Lithuania
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023: liivaloss / sand castle, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2022: sabotöör / saboteur, Jakobi Gallery, Tartu, Estonia
2017: aega on küll / there’s time, Positiiv Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025: Upcoming: Unfortunately, You Were Not Selected This Time, Tartu Art House, Estonia
2025: Upcoming: Tactile Baltics, Milan, Italy
2024: Recognized Glass Artist 2022/23, Nominees Exhibition, Okapi Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2024. Imagine, Glass and Print Exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2024: Next: Young European Design, Berlin Design Week, Berlin, Germany
2023: Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition Vol. 2, Kondase Keskus, Viljandi, Estonia
2023: The Venice Glass Week HUB Under 35, Palazzo Loredan, Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Venice, Italy
2023: salvesta kui / save as (with Andra Jõgis), Pärnu City Gallery, Pärnu, Estonia
2023: GENIUS LOC IV: Life. 1628. 1928. 2023, Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, Reigi Pastorate
2021: pillows–blankets (with Andra Jõgis), Hiiumaa Art Gallery, Kärdla, Estonia
2021: Colours of Corals, with Painter and Illustrator Liisa Kruusmägi, HOP Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2021: Current Realities, Levant Art Gallery, Shanghai, China
2021: The Voice of Glass Collaborative, Latvian National Museum of Art, Riga, Latvia
2020: Colour – RED II, Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, City Gallery of Rakvere, Estonia
2020: Colour – RED, Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2020: under the water on the moon II, Okapy Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2020: under the water on the moon, Rummu Quarry, Harjumaa, Estonia
2018: ARS Concept – Estonian Art, T1 Mall of Tallinn, Estonia
2018: Stanislav Libensky Award 2018, DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic
2018: Glass @ The Forge, Craft Central, London, United Kingdom
2017: Kooskõla. Ongoing / Going on, Haus Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2016: 10th International Blown Glass Symposium, Lviv, Ukraine
2015: Interpretation, Mentzentorffs’ House, Riga, Latvia
CURATED EXHIBITIONS
2024: Dark Ground, Collaborative exhibition with Tiina Sarapu, HOP Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2021: Colour – RED 2.0, EGAU's Annual Exhibition, The White Hall of the Kohtla-Järve Oil Shale Museum
2020: Colour – RED, Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
WORKS IN COLLECTIONS
2024: Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Tallinn, Estonia
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2024: Online coverage on the platform Designboom (designboom.com)
2024: Magazine Design, Interior, and Architecture
2024: Magazine Kodu & Aed
2024: Magazine DIIVAN
2022: Estonian Photo Magazine POSITIIV
2019: Estonian Photo Magazine POSITIIV
2018: New Glass Review, published by Corning Museum of Glass
2017: GLASSHOUSE, International magazine for studioglass
2015: Estonian Photo Magazine POSITIIV
2015: Estonian Architecture Magazine MAJA
UNIONS
Since 2018: Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Since
2019: The Estonian Artists' Association