One Side of the Story

An Exhibition by Gerda

 

The artwork I create is a reflection of life in its most vulnerable form—born from emotion, shaped by experience, and deeply rooted in both personal and shared pain. My work explores themes of grief, loss, loneliness, and the quiet struggles that often remain unseen. It’s a way for me to process, express, and offer something honest for others to connect with—perhaps even find a sense of relief in knowing they’re not alone.

 

This body of work began after the tragic loss of my father at the end of 2011. That event broke something open in me, forcing me to confront sorrow in a way I never had before. Creating art became a lifeline, a way to navigate grief and give shape to emotions that words couldn’t hold. What started as a personal journey slowly transformed into something larger—art that speaks not just for me, but for anyone who’s ever carried pain quietly.

 

Each piece in this collection is rooted in a real person, a story, or a moment. But I choose to keep them nameless—without labels or descriptions—because I want every viewer to meet the work on their own terms. When there is no instruction on how to feel, the connection becomes more intimate, more personal. You’re invited not to observe, but to feel.

 

This exhibition leans into the darker side of the emotional spectrum. It’s not meant to be traditionally beautiful or visually “pleasing.” Instead, it embraces shadow, silence, and stillness—because there is a strange kind of beauty in sadness, and power in simply acknowledging it.

 

The Beginning

“One Side of the Story” took form in early 2012, during the months following my father’s passing. At that time, I also drew inspiration from the work of Estonian artist Markus Kasemaa. His use of sepia tones and melancholic themes resonated deeply with me. His art gave me permission to explore darkness in my own work, to let go of the idea that art must always be bright or joyful to have meaning. I realized that what I wanted to create could be raw, vintage, haunting—and still carry profound beauty.

 

I began sketching in January 2012, pulling from memory, feeling, and the stories I’d witnessed in others. It took six months to fully develop the characters and concepts before capturing them through photography with my dear friend and collaborator, Heikki Leis, whose visual sensitivity helped me shape the mood and aesthetic I was searching for.

 

The exhibition was first published in Estonia in September 2012.

Prints are A1 size (841 x 594 mm / 33.1 x 23.4 in).

Images on display are photographs taken before the final layers of artwork were applied—offering a glimpse into their raw emotional foundation.

 

I hope these pieces resonate with you in some way—and that you find within them your own side of the story.

 

With sincerity,

– Gerda