Marko Toomast "IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD"

On Friday, April 11th at 16:00, Marko Toomast's exhibition "IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD" will be opened at the Pärnu City Gallery Artist House project space. You are welcome!

My work primarily focuses on the interconnection between origin and social structures, symbolized by a humble hen and its surrounding environment.

"In the beginning was the word" functions as a foundational concept, prompting thoughts on how narratives shape our understanding of the world, especially in the microcosm of a chicken farm. The egg, as a symbol of birth and potential, and the hen itself become metaphors for life's cyclicity and the complex hierarchies of human society. Through photography, my aim is to elevate these seemingly simple themes to a level of artistic contemplation.

Focusing on the environment of the chicken farm, I invite viewers to contemplate the parallels between the social dynamics of these birds and our own human experiences. The pecking order, the struggle for resources, and the cyclicity of life offer a sharp reflection of the complexities and often invisible structures of human society. I wish to encourage viewers to look beyond the surface and engage with the deeper symbolic meanings contained in these images, sparking dialogue and prompting a reassessment of the interconnectedness of all living beings. Through the visual language of photography, I strive to make the ordinary extraordinary, revealing the hidden stories of the everyday world.    

I was born in 1970 in Pärnu, and I am an Estonian photographic artist known for my minimalist black-and-white and vibrant realistic works. Currently, I am enjoying the charm of color photography and aim to capture the true essence of the moment with my pictures. My works bring to the viewer the beauty and details of life, and I want to show the world as it is – full of colors and emotions. My photos tell stories and invite us to notice those little miracles that surround us every day. If you wish to see the world through my eyes, it is definitely worth getting to know my works better: markotoomast.com

The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.