Kristi Kongi (1985) is an Estonian painter and installation artist focusing on colour, light and space. Inspired by real or imagined places, thoughtful observations, emotions and memories, her works often take the form of impressive installations. Kristi Kongi refers to her ongoing research and experimenting with colour, light and shade as “Exercises with the moon”. Her work is both poetic – this is also expressed in the titles – as well as systematic and analytical.

The painting “You Are My Heart” was part of the painting installation in Kristi Kongi’s solo exhibition “Have You Seen Yourself” in Hobuspea gallery, Tallinn, in 2016. The installation consisted of patterns originating from various packaging – plastic bags, gift wrap paper etc. Every detail is a part of a story that the act of remembering could create.

 Kristi Kongi: “One of the important aspects for me is the hidden existence of a package – every package has something in it, is addressed to someone or from someone. [...] While working with this exhibition, I have probably been focused mostly on the concept of existence – this is definitely caused by everything surrounding us. Patterns and colours contribute to covering up the things we don’t really want to see or feel. And yet, they help us to think about ourselves.“

 Kristi Kongi studied painting at Tartu Art College (2004–2008) and completed her master’s degree in painting at the Estonian Academy of Arts (2008–2011). She has been awarded the Young Artist Prize (2011), Sadolin Art Prize (2013), Konrad Mägi Prize (2017) and in 2016 was nominated for the Köler Prize and for 2022-24 she was merited for Artists’ and writers’ wage grant by the Republic of Estonia Ministry of Culture. Kristi Kongi is an associate professor in the painting department at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Occasionally she also works as a curator and exhibition designer.