Andrus Rõuk

Andrus Rõuk (born September 28, 1957, in Tallinn) is an Estonian artist and poet.

After graduating from Tallinn 46th Secondary School in 1976, he started working as a graphic designer at the then Youth Theatre. He received his artist diploma from the Estonian State Art Institute, where he studied architecture from 1979 to 1981 and theatre design from 1984 to 1989.

Artistic Career

Andrus Rõuk's first group exhibition took place in 1977 at the old café of the University of Tartu, where he presented his geometric gouache drawings. As a painter, his work has been influenced by the post-painterly abstraction movement, which emerged in the United States in the early 1960s as a reaction to the highly spontaneous abstract expressionism. This style is characterized by sharp, defined contours (hard-edge) and flat, decorative imagery. His abstract paintings from the 1990s also reflect an interplay of different surfaces, where greyish-white shadows seem to advance menacingly upon colorful areas.

Rõuk’s paintings symbolize landscapes of the inner world. He has long drawn inspiration from surrealist artists Joan Miró and René Magritte, who transformed symbols into abstract signs. In Rõuk’s work, these symbols frequently take on geometric forms, particularly in his early career. In the first decade of this millennium, his artistic world expanded, and his color palette broadened—moving away from earlier grey, black, and brown tones to yellowish, bluish, and reddish hues. While his bold approach to form remains, it has become more free-flowing. Rõuk often makes pastel sketches for his paintings, some of which never get transferred onto canvas.

Another significant part of his work consists of graphic prints made using silk-screen printing, which align stylistically with his paintings. He also creates abstract drawings in ink pen, both in black and white and in color. Among these works, one can find strange worlds, human-animal hybrids, and figures that resemble characters from nightmares.

Early Life

Andrus Rõuk spent his childhood and youth in the Pelgulinn district of Tallinn, where he attended an art class in his local school. This experience strongly encouraged his creative development. During the summers, he stayed with his grandparents near Viljandi, where he learned a great deal from them, particularly about love and care for future generations.

His first job after high school was at the Youth Theatre in 1976, where he had the opportunity to design and execute large outdoor advertisements within a single season. At the same time, he began writing poetry, which culminated in 1981. His first group exhibition was in spring 1977 at the University of Tartu’s old café, followed by exhibitions in Pärnu Theatre (1978) and Café Pegasus in Tallinn (1979).

He continued his education at the Estonian State Art Institute, first studying architecture and later switching to theatre design. He obtained his artist diploma in 1989. That same year, his set design for Eugène Ionesco’s play "Rhinoceros" premiered at the State Puppet Theatre, and in the previous year, he designed the children’s play "Kunksmoor" by Aino Pervik at Rakvere Theatre. After graduating, he also had the opportunity to work in film, contributing as a production designer for Sulev Keedus’ television film "Ainus pühapäev" (The Only Sunday) in 1989–1990.

After this period, Rõuk devoted himself entirely to painting, as he felt that collective work environments were not suitable for deep concentration.

Exhibitions and Collections

Since 1977, Andrus Rõuk has participated in numerous exhibitions, including national art exhibitions. He has designed set pieces for theatre productions and worked in film.

His works have been acquired by:

  • Tallinn Art Hall
  • Tallinn City Government
  • Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
  • Estonian Shipping Company
  • Estonian Mobile Telephone
  • Grand Hotel Viljandi
  • Private collectors in Estonia and abroad

Solo Exhibitions (Selected)

  • 2024 Sky and Earth, Kastellaanimaja Gallery
    World of Painting, Tallinn St. John’s Church
  • 2022 Morning or Evening, Mikkeli Gallery, Tartu
  • 2020 Tamula Tango, Võru City Gallery
  • 2017 Golden Collection, Fahle Gallery
    Selected Paintings, Aegviidu Art Hall
  • 2016 Solstice, Haus Gallery
    Solstice, Viimsi St. James Church
    Night and Day
    , Vaba Lava, Tallinn
  • 2013 For Gourmets, Tam Gallery, Tallinn
  • 2010 Boomerang, Draakon Gallery, Tallinn
  • 2008 Faith and Hope, Kastellaanimaja Gallery, Tallinn
  • 2005 Charm of the Spirit, Hobusepea Gallery, Tallinn
  • 1997 Light and Twilight, Tallinn Art Hall Gallery
    Light and Twilight, Deco Gallery
    Just Gallery, Turku, Finland
  • 1993 Paintings, Vaal Gallery, Tallinn
  • 1986 Youth Theatre

Group Exhibitions (Selected)

  • 2025 To Live-To Live-To Live, Kadriorg Gallery
  • 2024 Reopening: Reunion of Classics, Tokko & Arrak Gallery
  • 2023 Raise the Sails!, Mikkel Museum
  • 2022 Spring Exhibition, Tallinn Art Hall
    Summer Exhibition / "Poetic Principle", Kadriorg Gallery
  • 2021 How Contemporary is Contemporary?, Rapla Contemporary Art Center
  • 2020 Global/Local, Pärnu Museum of New Art
  • 2018 EST, Haus Gallery
  • 2016 Sea, Viinistu Art Museum
  • 2014 Space within Space, Võru City Gallery
  • 2012
    Tallinn International Drawing Triennial, Kullo Art Gallery
  • 2006 Joint Exhibition, Viinistu Art Museum’s Barrel Gallery
  • 2002 Estonian Painting, Tallinn Art Hall
  • 1995 Sundsvall Art Fair, Sweden
  • 1986 All-Union Youth Exhibition, Moscow Manege
  • 1979 Group Exhibition, Café Pegasus, Tallinn

Recognition and Media Coverage

  • Postimees – The President awarded state decorations to 166 people
  • Pärnu Museum of New Art – Jaan Elken on Andrus Rõuk’s Star Space
  • ERR – Fahle House presents paintings of a former dissident poet
  • Pärnu Postimees – Andrus Rõuk paints his own world
  • Sirp (2008) – Vappu Thurlow: A Surprise with Rõuk
  • Wikipedia – Article on Andrus Rõuk