The exhibition Hidden Worlds Expanding presents Outsider Art mainly created in
Eastern Europe, bringing for the first time together in one exhibition exceptional works
hitherto hidden from the broader public in so many countries.

The exhibition displays more than 200 works from the collections of historical and
contemporary Outsider Art from 10 countries by a total of 59 artists. Mostly, it is art born
in social isolation in psychiatric hospitals or special care homes. There are also works
created in the course of art therapy sessions or studios under the guidance of
instructors.

Outsider artworks cannot often be categorised within a particular style, distinguished
geographically or placed in a specific era. They do, however, have a certain universality,
lack of ambition and compromise, and a deeply felt sincerity. In some cases, art is the
creator’s only means of communication with the outside world.

The exhibition Hidden Worlds Expanding takes place simultaneously in Viljandi, Tartu
and Valga. Opened at the same time, these exhibitions are conceptually interrelated
and form a complementary whole.

The exhibition at the Kondas Centre delves into the mystical origins of creativity,
dealing with visionaries communicating with the universe and artists who precisely
document their surroundings. The displayed works deal with the mundane everyday
world and the artists’ ambitious visions. Among others, the world-renowned Outsider
Artists Anna Zemánkova (1908–1986) and Cecilie Marková (1911–1998) are
represented; the former’s works were also selected for this year’s Venice Biennale.
At the University of Tartu Museum, the earliest layer of the exhibition, the historical
works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are displayed. The oldest works on
display come from the archives of the Psychiatry Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, but
most are from the collection of psychiatric art of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
and the collection of the Silesian Museum in Katowice. The best-known authors include
Edmund Monsiel (1897–1962), the classic of Hungarian Outsider Art, and Pál István
(1888–1944), also known as the van Gogh of Hungary.

The central part of the exhibition is devoted to the work of psychiatric patients, offering a glimpse into the Umwelts of two eccentric contemporary artists, Michael Golz (b. 1957)
and Lembar Linder (b. 1973) – the worlds in which they firmly believe and where living
can be a refuge and a way out.

Valga Museum presents a houseful of portraits. The exhibition focuses on the issues of
depicting oneself and another person, which is one of the central themes of (but not
limited to) Outsider Art. Representing oneself and another is the best way to get to know
oneself and one’s surroundings, to try to fit in or resist.

Hidden Worlds Expanding is part of the main programme of the European Capital of
Culture Tartu 2024. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue and an educational
programme.

Collections: Silesian Museum in Katowice (Poland), Kondas Centre (Estonia), private
collection of Pavel Konečný and collection of Open Art Studio of Masaryk University,
Brno (Czechia), collection of psychiatric art of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
(Hungary), Koprivnica City Museum (Croatia), Kettuki Ry Art Studio in Hämeenlinna
(Finland), Art Cru Gallery (Germany), and Open Studio of Lebenshilfe OÖ in Gmunden
(Austria)

Curators: Mari Vallikivi (Kondas Centre) and Eva Laantee Reintamm (Kondas Centre)
Design: Kärt Einasto
Communication: Annika Vihmann and Katre Ratassepp
Translation: Ann Kuslap
Copy-editing: Tiina Sarv
Coordinator at Valga Museum: Neeme Punder
Coordinator at the University of Tartu Museum: Karoliina Kalda
Installation of the exhibition: Kaarel Narro, Indrek Grigor, Imre Toltsberg, Jüri Pillisner
Coordinator: Annabel Tanila

Supporters: Tartu 2024, Estonian Ministry of Culture, Cultural Endowment of Estonia,
Viljandi Town Government, Liszt Institute in Tallinn, Embassy of the Federal Republic of
Germany to Estonia, Embassy of Austria in Estonia, and Kettuki Ry