
SANTA ZUKKER
Artist, culture scientist based in Tallinn
CURRICULUM VITAE
Santa Zukker
Born in 1991 in Võru
Lives and works in Tallinn
https://santazukker.wixsite.com/website
https://www.facebook.com/SantazArt
Description
Santa Zukker (28.08.1991) is a cultural (Tallinn University, BA) and art scholar(Estonian Academy Of Arts, MA) and an artist whose work focuses on conveying memories, moods, and inner experiences that are difficult to put into words. For her, painting is not merely a representation of the visible world, but a way of preserving atmosphere, emotion, and memory — what might be called the aura of a place.
Zukker’s work can be situated within the field of contemporary lyrical abstraction, where expressionism and, at times, surrealist elements intertwine. Her works move along the boundaries between abstract and figurative painting, combining atmospheric landscapes, expressive use of colour, and multilayered textures.
Memory and mood occupy a central place in the artist’s work. Much like the way writer Marcel Proust described the emergence of memories through a single taste, Zukker seeks to capture moments in her paintings that carry an entire emotional world within them. Her works do not tell specific stories, but invite the viewer to experience the subtle layers of memory, atmosphere, and inner sensation.
One of the strongest characteristics of Santa Zukker’s work is her ability to create atmosphere, particularly in her seascapes, where light, colour, and a sense of space create a poetic and meditative experience. Her paintings open up a space where memory, nature, and emotion meet.
“Nature brought me to painting and also keeps me painting,” says Santa about her creative journey. “I perceive a sensory horizon in everything and everyone I see.” — Santa
Santa Zukker’s paintings have been exhibited in numerous galleries and art institutions, including Haus Gallery, Kunstiruum, Staapli3 Gallery, the Teachers’ House, Metropoli Gallery, Artstac Gallery, Artius gallery, Stockmann Gallery, Pärnu New Art Museum, Eduard Vilde Museum / Kastellaanimaja, Kadriorg Gallery, Nõmme Cultural Centre, Põhjala Studio Gallery, the Office of the Chancellor of Justice, Alto (Telliskivi Creative City), and elsewhere.
Education
2018-2022 Tallinn University, Institute of Humanities, Cultural Studies, BA
2022-2025 Estonian Academy of Arts, Art science and visual culture studies, museology, MA
Courses
2020 Tallinn University, Institute of Baltic Film, Media and Arts, Tallinn University, Drawing and Painting Studio ll, KUA6706. FK
2014 Tikkurila koolituskeskus. Sisevärvimise baaskursus. Dekoratiivvärvimine.
2014 Tallinna Ehituskool. Maalri põhikursus.
Professional Memberships
Eesti kunstiteadlaste ja kuraatorite ühingu(EKKÜ) liige. 2026.
Personal exhibitions
2026 Hestia hotell (Upcoming)
2026 Jaani kirik (Upcoming)
2025 Põhjala Sepikoja galerii. "Aktuaalsed maastikud". Põhjala tehase Sepikoja galerii 2. korrus, Marati5, Tallinn, Harjumaa. Curated by Santa Zukker and Karl-Erik Talvet.
2025 Santa Zukkeri minimaalide näitus "TulevikuMaailmad" Haki miniatuurne muuseum. Tartu Kunstimaja, Vanemuise tn 26, Tartu, Tartumaa. Curated by Raul Oreshkin ja Maret Tamme.
2025 Santa Zukkeri maalinäitus. Palmigalerii, Rotermanni kvartal, Rotermanni8, Tallinn, Harjumaa. Curated by Santa Zukker.
2025 "Aeg/Time". Põhjala, Valge Kuup galerii, Marati 5/a, Tallinn, Harjumaa. Curated by Santa Zukker and Steveli Säde.
2025 "Kohal". Ülemiste City, Öpiku maja, Valukoja 8, Tallinn, Harjumaa. Curated by Santa Zukker and Kaidi Vaher
2024 "Valguse selguses". Ribiinia salong. Nunne 11, Tallinn, Vanalinn, Harjumma. Curated By Santa Zukker
2024 "Loud" Hall, Suvila, Peetri3, Noblessner, Tallinn, Harjumaa. Curated by Elena Natale.
2024 "Hetked". EELK Viimsi Püha Jakobi kirik, Nurme tee2, Haabneeme, Harjumaa. Curated by Erkki Juhandi.
2024 "Vastukaja" Kastellaanimaja galerii. Roheline aas3, Tallinn, Harjumaa. Curated by Elo Viiding, Santa Zukker, Liidia Meel.
2024 "Mäng" .Telliskivi Loomelinnaku galerii. Telliskivi 60, Tallinn, Harjumaa. Curated by Bianka Soe.
2024 Difference/Erinevus. Rataskaevu 6Art galerii. Rataskaevu6, Tallinn, Harjumaa. Curated by Katrin Repnau and Santa Zukker.
2024 Horisont. Nelja Nurga galerii. Keskväljak 5a, Kärdla, Hiiumaa. Curated by Kalli Sein.
2023 Santa Zukkeri maalinäitus. Rae Koolimaja, Ussiaugu tee20, Vaskjala, Harjumaa. Curated by Toomas Aru and Santa Zukker.
2023 Isikunäitus "Nihutades piire". Õigukantsleri büroo ruumides. Kohtu 8, Tallinn. Curated by Piret Arukaevu and Santa Zukker.
2023 Maalinäitus "HORISONT" KUNSTIRUUM galeriis. KUNSTIRUUM. Peterburi tee2, T1, Tallinn. Curated by Edward Köster.
2023 "VASTUKAJA 2" paintings and poetry, from Santa Zukker and Elo Viiding. Kaja kultuurikeskus, E. Vilde tee 118, Tallinn. Curated by Santa Zukker and Elo Viiding.
2023 Special collection on the Kunstiruum's walls. KUNSTIRUUM. Peterburi tee2, T1, Tallinn. Curated by Edward Köster.
2022 "NÖÖBID". Palo Alto Club, Telliskivi Loomelinnak. Telliskivi 57, Tallinn. Curated by Astrid Laupmaa.
2022 "An Echo". Santa Zukker paintings and Elo Viiding poems at "ThePlace pianobar venue, Lootsi8, Tallinn. Curated by Santa Zukker and Elo Viiding.
2022 "VASTUKAJA". Santa Zukker(paintings) and Elo Viiding(poems) at Põhjala Factory Studio house, Marati5, Tallinn. Curated by Meelis Tammemägi.
2022 NORTH/SOUTH.SANTA/RUNA at Õpetajate Maja, Raekoja plats 14, Tallinn. Curated by Santa Zukker, Irina Runa.
2021 Compass. Metropol 6m2 gallery, Tallinn. Curated by Kaarel Kütas and Triinu Jürves
2021 Mystical realism. Kodulinna Maja gallery, Old Town. Curated by Tiina Mägi
2021 Mystical landscape. Viimsi Library, Tallinn. Curated by Santa Zukker
2021 Summer Exhibition. Vaida Library, Harju County. Curated by Santa Zukker
2020 Art comes to the café. TU Kehrwieder café premises, Tallinn. Curated by Santa Zukker
2020 Mystical realism. Web exhibition of the online publication Loovgraaf. Curated by Loovgraaf magazine.
Group exhibitions
2026 "Vedeliku jõed". Graafika, kollaazhi, frotaazhi, origami ja joonistuste näitus. GÜ galerii, Pärnu mnt. 154, ARS kunstilinnak, Tallinn. Curated by Vedelik rühmitus.
2026 Vedeliku näitus Kodulinna Majas. Kodulinna maja, Vanalinn, Gümnaasiumi tn 3, Tallinn. Curated by Sven-Erik Stamberg.
2026 "Tõde ja õigus" 100. Sada pilku romaanile. Näitusega tähistatakse saja aasta möödumist A. H. Tammsaare "Tõe ja õiguse" I osa ilmumisest.
Eksponeeritud on saja kunstniku teosed, mis on ammutanud inspiratsiooni ja ainese A. H. Tammsaare kuulsast romaanist. Oksjon Vaal galeriis. Tallinna Kirjanduskeskus, sügisel Vaal galerii. Curated By Aimar Jugaste and Maarja Vaino.