An exhibition of young Estonian artists has opened at the Art & Tonic gallery in Tallinn, showcasing 92 works selected from 269 submissions for the "Osta noort kunsti" ("Buy Young Art") spring auction. The auction, organized by gallery owner Reigo Kuivjõgi, features starting prices set by the artists themselves, ranging from €1 to €2,000, with past final prices reaching over €20,000. The exhibition runs free of charge from May 1 to May 14, with the live auction on May 15.
This initiative matters because it makes contemporary art accessible to a broad audience by keeping prices low and removing barriers to entry, while giving emerging Estonian artists vital visibility and a platform to launch their careers. The record number of applicants underscores a growing demand among young artists to connect with the public, and the auction's structure—where artists set their own starting prices—democratizes the art market and fosters a direct relationship between creators and buyers in Estonia's domestic art scene.