ARRAK "COMPOSITION WITH TIES" (1967) SILK SHAWL

ARRAK COMPOSITION WITH TIES 1967 silk shawl is based on artwork’s fragment of a famous Estonian painter Jüri Arrak – Composition with Ties (1967).
Original painting: 70×50 cm. Oil, cardboard, objects. Tartu Art Museum.

“Jüri Arrak was not a ‘tie enthusiast.’ However, ties have historically been a relatively simple gift for men, so over the years, and likely even by 1967, he had accumulated a collection.

A good example of this sentiment comes from Jüri’s diary entry on June 10, 2014: ‘Today I walked along Roosikrantsi Street to the reception at the Swedish Embassy, pondering the compilation of my autobiography. I put my hand in my pocket—and the tie I was supposed to wear was there in the pocket. At the same time, I called K. and said that my mind is writing our book here on the street, but my body is heading to a gathering that isn’t interesting. So, it seems the tie has been shown its proper place—it’s over for ties!” It’s delightful that the ties at least found use in art,” wrote Kai Olivia Arrak.