See his work at The Gibbes Museum of Art through October 12
Fresh from painting murals at Estonia’s Rua Street Art festival and creating a monumental piece for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in The Hague, artist Riivo Kruuk is back in Charleston and in residence at The Gibbes Museum of Art through October 12.
His NATO commission, A Peaceful Day— an ode to Dutch painters such as Johannes Vermeer—captures everything that makes Kruuk’s work so captivating. The mural depicts a young Estonian woman, calmly knitting a colorful tapestry from red yarn, which is held by a two-story dove in an adjacent mural created by another artist. Her subtle smile and knowing side-glance at this massive bird speak volumes—after all, Estonians often save their smiles for close friends. She seems aware of the weight of the moment, continuing her work as something significant unfolds around her.
It’s classic Kruuk: Old Master influences, layered symbolism, and contemporary issues presented in a timeless style. Whether he’s painting on a canvas or a three-story building, his work carries the same DNA—stories that bridge cultures and centuries and a sense that there’s more happening than meets the eye. Here, Kruuk, who moved to Charleston in 2020, shares the meaning behind recurring themes in his work.
Charleston Connections: My family has deep roots in South Carolina; my grandparents were based in Greenville, where my mom was raised, and I spent summers in Charleston growing up. My dad is from Estonia. When my mom finished college, she went to Estonia to work and integrate into the culture, and that’s where they met. We spoke Estonian at home, and it was a huge part of my upbringing.
Becoming an Artist: My dad is a contractor, and he’s very creative. I was constantly drawing and building things from found objects. Even in school, I’d draw on my tests and sketch out math problems because I’m such a visual person. I went to college [Florida Atlantic University] planning to play professional soccer, but then I blew out my knee. My girlfriend (now fiancé) convinced me to switch majors to art, and I graduated with a BFA, with a focus on painting. Since 2018, it’s been my primary focus.
Going Big: It started with commercial signage, helping businesses like Urban Nirvana and Waxed Salon create marketing opportunities and build their brands. I was grateful to be painting murals, but I was also creating my own paintings on the side. What I love about murals is their accessibility—people can experience art without getting dressed up or having to make a trip to go to a gallery. I still do commercial work, but now, I’m incorporating more of my own style rather than a corporate aesthetic.
Recurring Elements: The red and green conical caps are an homage to Estonian folklore, specifically the elves from European culture. As the world gets bigger through social media and cultures blend, I think it’s crucial to hold onto your own folklore and cultural stories. They always contain messages or life lessons. The blurred faces and bodies represent the space between dreams and memory. You don’t remember everything clearly—some parts are highly realized while others are fuzzy.
Current Project: I’m in residency at the Gibbes Museum, which is a moment of exploration where I’m working on large-scale installation-based pieces. I was also involved with Girls Who Paint Murals’ MELT Mural Festival [last month], which brought out-of-town artists to contribute to our community’s artistic landscape.
