Enn Kunila

Last updated
Enn Kunila Enn Kunila.JPG
Enn Kunila

Enn Kunila (born 19 March 1950 in Tallinn) is an Estonian entrepreneur and art collector.

Contents

Kunila is a Member of the Board and one of the shareholders of NG Investeeringud, which is one of the biggest Estonian private capital based investment and holding companies in Estonia. [1] NG Investeeringud group employs more than 4,700 people and operates in trade, industry and real estate.

Enn Kunila was awarded the Order of the White Star, Fourth Class in 2006 by the President of the Republic of Estonia in recognition for his contribution to Estonian entrepreneurship. [2]

Enn Kunila is a member of the governing bodies of different public enterprise-related organizations. He has been the Chairman of the Council of the Association of Estonian Food Industry [3] and a Member of the Council of The Estonian Cultural Endowment for several years.

As an art collector and patron, Enn Kunila has been a remarkable endorser of Estonian art life. To acknowledge his deeds, the Estonian Museum Association entitled Enn Kunila “Friend of Estonian Museums” in 2009, [4] and in 2010 he was the honouree for the U.S. Baltic Foundation Philanthropy Award of the Baltic States. [5] In 2012 the Estonian Minister of Culture awarded the title “Friend of Culture 2011” to Enn Kunila. [6]

Enn Kunila has served as the Chairman of the Board of the Art Museum of Estonia Friends of Art Society since its foundation in 2007. He is also the founder of the Board of Art Patrons that has been an important financial supporter of the Art Museum of Estonia Friends of Art Society. [4] Kunila is also a member of the Supervisory Board of the Art Museum of Estonia Foundation since its establishment in 2016.

By profession, Enn Kunila is an engineering-technologist [7] in the field of metal cutting processing.

Career

Source: [8]

Business

Enn Kunila is also a member of the boards of all the enterprises that belong to the concern of NG Investeeringud.

Social Activity

Art Collection

Enn Kunila is the founder and owner of one of the finest art collections in Estonia. His art collection comprises works of art by important Estonian artists of the classical period. Kunila's art collection, both at the level of the works of art and at the level of the artists, is comparable to the permanent exhibitions of Estonian art museums concentrating on the same era. [11]

Kunila's art collection has been exhibited at many significant exhibitions, for example in 2010 at the Tallinn Art Hall, where the exhibition From Köler to Subbi beat the all-time audience record with nearly 13,000 visitors, [12] and in the autumn at Kunsthalle Helsinki, with the exhibition Viron Värit (Estonian Colours), which hosted the most elaborate exhibition of Estonian classical art exhibited abroad. [13] In 2015, Enn Kunila's art collection was exhibited in Rome at the Vittoriano Museum (Il Vittoriano) with the exhibition I colori del Nord (Nordic Colours).

Enn Kunila has written in Estonian Classical Painting from Enn Kunila’s Collection, [14] the book introducing his art collection:

I believe that in a small country like Estonia, every bigger art collection is also an inseparable element of the national culture. Hence, every art collector not only has the right, but also the duty to reveal their collection, to both art scholars and researchers, but first and foremost to the wider public.

— Enn Kunila, Estonian Classical Painting from Enn Kunila’s Collection, p. 6

Enn Kunila also believes that a particular painting may be owned by him, but the value of art pertains to our culture and this obliges him to arrange exhibitions and publish books of his collection. [11]

Artists represented in Kunila's collection: Johann Köler, Amandus Adamson, Paul Raud, Ants Laikmaa, Konrad Mägi, Nikolai Triik, August Jansen  [ et ], Roman Nyman  [ et ], Johannes Greenberg, Paul Burman, Ado Vabbe, Aleksander Vardi, Adamson-Eric, Johannes Võerahansu, Richard Uutmaa  [ et ], Eerik Haamer, Lepo Mikko, Endel Kõks  [ et ], Elmar Kits, Evald Okas, Henn Roode  [ et ], Olev Subbi, [11] Tiit Pääsuke, et cetera. The collection comprises works of art by more than 60 artists.

Enn Kunila's main adviser in the field of art has been his great friend, the painter Olev Subbi. [15]

The art critic Eero Epner has written in the book Viron värit – 150 vuotta virolaista maalaustaidetta Enn Kunilan kokoelmasta [16]

If, however, we look at Kunila’s art collection in a European context, then we must point out its capacity to concentrate within its framework the history of painting of a small country from its beginning to the present day. We must once again at this point emphasise that the aim of the collector has been to make his subjective choices and to base those choices on clear performances in taste. At the same time, Kunila’s collection has a museum-like quality since there are few such private collections in Europe that cover the art history of some country so thoroughly.

—  Eero Epner, Viron värit – 150 vuotta virolaista maalaustaidetta Enn Kunilan kokoelmasta, p. 291

Art exhibitions

During the exhibition, Kunila also started an educational program, offering tours led by art scholar free of charge. [19] He also gave the book Estonian Classical Painting from Enn Kunila’s Collection to all Estonian school libraries as a gift. [15]

There were 111 artworks by 44 painters on display at the exhibition in Kunsthalle Helsinki. [23]

The exhibited artists were pioneers of the traditions of Estonian painting. The artists displayed are the four links of one chain which is the history of Estonian art, particularly the painting tradition based on colour-concentration and the impression of nature. [25]

For the first time in Estonia, an interactive multimedia programme Journey in the Golden Age was available to visitors. It utilised tablet computers that visitors could borrow from the museum. The exhibition was accompanied by a catalogue compiled by the curator Eero Epner, as well as a story and colouring book called Fish Net and Milk Can. [27]

7 March 2015 marked the passing of 85 years since the birth of the painter Olev Subbi. The anniversary of his birth was commemorated with two exhibitions:

Additionally, works of art from Enn Kunila's art collection have been on display at many important exhibitions, including the representational exhibition of Estonia in Paris in 2001, [9] [28] and the exhibitions Grand Tour. Eesti kunstnikud Itaalias (Grand Tour. Estonian Artists in Italy) in 2008–2009, Neoimpressionismi jälgedes. Mägi ja Finch. (Tracing Neo-Impressionism: Mägi and Finch) in 2010, Igavesti naiselik. Johannes Greenbergi ja Ferdi Sannamehe looming (Forever Feminine. The Work of Johannes Greenberg and Ferdi Sannamees) in 2011, Aedade järelelu (The Afterlives of Gardens) in 2013, Lepo Mikko in 2013–2014, Natuuri rikkus. Eluläheduse idee ja Düsseldorfi koolkond (The Force of Nature. Realism and the Düsseldorf School of Painting) in 2015, Ants Laikmaa. Vigala ja Capri (Ants Laikmaa. Vigala and Capri) in 2015–2016, Konrad Mägi at the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome in 2017–2018, Konrad Mägi in 2018–2019 at the Art Museum of Estonia, and also at several other exhibitions.

Publications

Art books and albums that have accompanied the exhibitions of Enn Kunila's collection:

Kunila has additionally published several biographical and art books: [11]

Acknowledgements

Interests

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Konrad Mägi</span> Estonian painter

Konrad Vilhelm Mägi was an Estonian painter, primarily known for his landscape work. He was one of the most colour-sensitive Estonian painters of the first decades of the 20th century, and Mägi's works on motifs of the island of Saaremaa are the first modern Estonian nature paintings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kumu (museum)</span> Art museum in Tallinn, Estonia

The Kumu Art Museum is an art museum in Tallinn, Estonia. It is one of the largest museums in Estonia and one of the largest art museums in Northern Europe. It is one of the five branches of the Art Museum of Estonia, housing its main offices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index of Estonia-related articles</span>

The following is an alphabetical list of articles related to the Republic of Estonia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ants Laikmaa</span> Estonian painter (1866–1942)

Ants Laikmaa was an Estonian painter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enn Nõu</span> Estonian writer (born 1933)

Enn Nõu is an Estonian writer.

Eduard Ole was an Estonian painter. Some of his most representative works are on permanent exhibition at the Kumu Art Museum of Estonia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andres Koort</span> Estonian artist

Andres Koort is an Estonian painter, scenographer, exhibit designer and curator. He is a member of the Estonian Artists' Association and member of the board of the Estonian Painters' Association since 2002 and has curated and designed some EPA's exhibitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liis Koger</span> Estonian painter and poet

Liis Koger is an Estonian painter and poet based in Tallinn.

Art Museum of Estonia Friends of Art Society was founded in 2007 with the intention to contribute in the improvement of art in Estonia and to popularize art within the Estonian nation, to introduce Estonian art abroad and also to support the organizing of the exhibitions of the Estonian Art Museum abroad. The goals of the Society are also improving the activity of the Estonian Art Museum, collocating open-minded friends of culture who are interested in contributing in the growth of the collections of the Estonian Art Museum, and also developing and supporting the library of the Estonian Art Museum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikolai Triik</span> Estonian artist

Nikolai Voldemar Triik was an Estonian Modernist painter, graphic artist, printmaker and professor. His work displays elements of Symbolism and Expressionism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rita Raave</span> Estonian actress

Rita Raave is an Estonian stage, television and film actress, and painter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kuno Veeber</span> Estonian painter (1898–1929)

Kuno Veeber was an Estonian painter and graphic artist whose career began in the late 1910s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agaate Veeber</span> Estonian artist

Agaate Veeber was an Estonian graphic artist and illustrator who began her career in the 1920s in her native country of Estonia and continued in the United States after immigrating in 1948.

Kaur Alttoa is an Estonian art historian and cultural historian.

Pallas Art School was an Estonian art school which existed from 1919 to 1944 in Tartu. The school was the first Estonian art school that offered higher education in art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karin Luts</span> Estonian painter and a graphic artist.

Karin Luts was an Estonian painter and a graphic artist.

Pallas is an Estonian art association, which was established in 1918 in Tartu. The association was re-established in 1988 in Tartu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riigikogu electoral district no. 5</span> Electoral district of Estonia

Electoral district no. 5 is one of the 12 multi-member electoral districts of the Riigikogu, the national legislature of Estonia. The district was established as electoral district no. 6 in 1992 when the Riigikogu was re-established following Estonia's independence from the Soviet Union. It was renamed electoral district no. 5 in 1995 following the re-organisation of electoral districts. It is conterminous with the counties of Hiiu, Lääne and Saare. The district currently elects six of the 101 members of the Riigikogu using the open party-list proportional representation electoral system. At the 2019 parliamentary election it had 51,093 registered electors.

Lepo Mikko was an Estonian painter and teacher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Villem Ormisson</span> Estonian painter (1892–1941)

Villem Ormisson was an Estonian painter and art teacher.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 „Näitus Enn Kunila maalikollektsioonist“ Haus Galerii, 14. juuni 2010.
  2. 1 2 „Rüütel annab riikliku autasu 834 inimesele“ Eesti Päevaleht, 7. veebruar 2006.
  3. ↑ „Enn Kunila valiti tagasi toiduliidu volikogu juhtima“ Tarbija24, 30. märts 2012
  4. 1 2 „Aasta muuseumisõbraks valiti ettevõtjast kunstikollektsionäär Enn Kunila“ Klassikaraadio, 31. mai 2009.
  5. ↑ „Enn Kunila sai USAs filantroopiaauhinna“ Äripäev, 17. mai 2010.
  6. ↑ „Lang tunnustas aasta kultuurisõpru – Nordea panka, Nordic Hotelsi ja Enn Kunilat“ Delfi, 3. veebruar 2012.
  7. ↑ „Teekond põllutöölisest kunstilembeliseks firmaomanikuks“ Archived 2012-11-13 at the Wayback Machine Äripäev, 29. september 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Kes on kes Eesti majanduses 2010", Tallinn: Eesti Kaubandus- ja Tööstuskoda. (2010) lk 104
  9. 1 2 3 4 „Elu läbi kunsti“ Archived 2014-05-25 at the Wayback Machine Äripäeva lisa Gentleman, detsember 2008.
  10. ↑ "Hiiumaal kõlab esimest korda ooper" ERR, 9. juuli 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Enn Kunila – Kunstiarmastusest sündinud kollektsioon" Kultuur ja Elu, 2010 nr 1.
  12. ↑ "Kunila kunstinäitust külastas Tallinnas ligi 13 000 inimest" Archived 2013-07-22 at archive.today Äripäev, 2 April 2010.
  13. ↑ "Helsingis avati näitus Enn Kunila maalikogust" ERR, 15. oktoober 2010
  14. ↑ Epner, Eero (2010). "Eesti klassikaline maalikunst Enn Kunila kollektsioonis". Tallinn: Sperare, 2010, p 6.
  15. 1 2 3 "Enn Kunila kunsti täis elu" Postimees – E24, 20. veebruar 2010.
  16. ↑ Epner, Eero (2010). "Viron värit – 150 vuotta virolaista maalaustaidetta Enn Kunilan kokoelmasta". Tallinn: Sperare, 2010, p. 291.
  17. ↑ "Kunstikollektsionäär avab näituse Eesti kunstiklassikast" Eesti Päevaleht, 6. november 2007.
  18. ↑ "Enn Kunila maalikogu näitus lõi publikurekordi" Õhtuleht, 3. märts 2010.
  19. 1 2 "Enn Kunila: kunst on Eestile hea visiitkaart" Eesti Päevaleht, 23. veebruar 2010.
  20. ↑ "Moodsa kunsti klassikuid saab nautida Kärdlas" Hiiu Leht, 5. märts 2010.
  21. ↑ "Kõige suurem mägi Eestis ei ole Suur Munamägi, vaid kunstnik Konrad Mägi…" Archived 2017-03-15 at the Wayback Machine Saarte Hääl, 16. juuni 2010.
  22. ↑ "Läbimurre: Enn Kunila saadab oma maalikogu Soome näitusele" Eesti Päevaleht, 31. august 2010.
  23. ↑ "Viron maalaustaide esittäytyy laajasti Helsingissä" Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine Savon Sanomat, 15. lokakuu 2010.
  24. ↑ "Pika Maja saalis on väljas valik graafikat ja joonistusi Enn Kunila kogust" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine Hiiu Nädal, 19. november 2010.
  25. ↑ "Kärdlas näeb Eesti klassikalise maalikunsti paremikku" ERR Menu, 20. juuni 2013.
  26. ↑ "Hiiumaal avatakse Olev Subbi mälestusele pühendatud näitus" Archived 2014-09-04 at the Wayback Machine Eestielu, 12.september 2013.
  27. 1 2 "Colours of the Golden Age. Classical Estonian Painting from Enn Kunila's Collection" Mikkel museum
  28. ↑ Näitus „Meri, rand ja Saaremaa Enn Kunila kollektsioonis“ on Kuressaare Raegaleriis (Tallinna tn 2) avatud T-R kl 10–17 ja L kell 10–15 alates 30. aprillist kuni 26. juunini 2010." Saaremaa.ee Sündmused, 2010.
  29. ↑ "Reedel avati Helsingis suur eesti klassikalise maalikunsti ülevaatenäitus" Archived 2010-10-20 at the Wayback Machine Eesti Ekspress, 19. oktoober, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Muuseumide sõbra tiitli pälvis tänavu Enn Kunila" ERR, 2. september 2009.
  31. ↑ "Tähelaev: Enn Kunila" ERR, 27. jaanuar 2013.
  32. ↑ Tähelaev: Enn Kunila ETV (ERR), 27. jaanuar 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.