Viive Noor

Viive Noor (1955) is an illustrator and curator. She works as a curator at the Estonian Children's Literature Centre. Noor is the founder and organiser of the Tallinn Illustrations Triennial ā€œThe Power of Picturesā€ (2003, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2023). She graduated cum laude in fashion design and graphic art from the State Art Institute of the Estonian SSR (Estonian Academy of Arts) in 1981. Noor is the Vice President of the Estonian Section of IBBY and a member of the Estonian Artists' Association, Estonian Graphic Designersā€™ Association (Head of Book Design Section), Associazione Italia Estonia, International Laboratory of Art, and Mega Art in Italy. Her works are held in the art collections of the National Library of Estonia, the Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre, the Hiroko Mori & Stasys Museum in Japan, and the Marstal Maritime Museum in Denmark, as well as in many private collections in Estonia, Japan, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Germany, Russia etc.

I certainly drew a lot as a child, but I was convinced Iā€™d become an explorer. I read books about travels, expeditions, and nature. Back then, I knew many of the Latin names for animal and plant species by heart. While studying in an art-intensive school, I started going to art exhibitions and before I knew it, Iā€™d enrolled in the Estonian Academy of Arts. I still love nature to this day, but canā€™t imagine life without art. I have a deep fondness for books and illustration, but the world of art is boundless and the explorer in me lives on.

Profile picture: Priit Grepp

Bibliography

10 Cakes

1990

Translations

10 Kuchen

1991

10 Cakes

1990

Awards

2023
Maria Laidoner's zaboo, Embassy of the Republic of Poland


2021

International Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, nominee

2020
Tallinn Illustrations Triennial (TIT), Diploma
Republic of Estonia Order of the White Star, Fifth Class

2019

Sharjah Childrenā€™s Book Illustrations Exhibition, Honorable Mention
5 Best Designed Estonian Childrenā€™s Books, Certificate of Merit (Hilli Rand. The Forgetful Fairyā€™s Birthday Party)

2018

International Illustration and Book Design Competition ā€˜Image of the Book/Obraz knigiā€™, Moscow, laureate

2016

Silver Badge of Merit of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2015

5 Best Designed Estonian Childrenā€™s Books, Certificate of Merit (Tiia Toomet. May Lily and Anemone)

2013

Plaque of the 47th International Golden Pen of Belgrade / ŠŸŠ»Š°ŠŗŠµŃ‚Š° ŠœŠµŃ’ŃƒŠ½Š°Ń€Š¾Š“Š½Š¾Š³ Š—Š»Š°Ń‚Š½Š¾Š³ ŠŸŠµŃ€Š° Š‘ŠµŠ¾Š³Ń€Š°Š“Š°

2011

5 Best Designed Estonian Childrenā€™s Books, Certificate of Merit (Milvi Panga. Where Are You, Santaā€™s Elf?)

2009

Tallinn Illustrations Triennial (TIT), Diploma
5 Best-Designed Estonian Childrenā€™s Books, Special Prize of the Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre (The Golden Book of Estonian Fairytales)
Muhv Award

2008

5 Best Designed Estonian Childrenā€™s Books, Certificate of Merit (Kalju Kangur. Timbu-Limbu and the Cunning Dwarf)
5 Best Designed Estonian Childrenā€™s Books, Special prize of Estonian Graphic Designersā€™ Union (Once Upon a Timeā€¦), Special prize of The Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre (F. R. Kreutzwald. Lopi and Lapi)
Raisin of the Year Award (Once Upon a Timeā€¦)

2007

Nominee of the Kristjan Raud Prize
5 Best Designed Estonian Childrenā€™s Books, Certificate of Merit (Milvi Panga. Letā€™s Go Outside)

2006

IBBY Honour List (Milvi Panga. The One Who Enjoys)

2005

Special Prize ā€˜Golden Bookā€™ of the National Library of Estonia (Reet Made. The Shop of Frolic)

2004

5 Best Designed Estonian Childrenā€™s Books, 2 Certificates of Merit (Milvi Panga. The One Who Enjoys; Leelo Tungal. A Little Christmas Wish)

Exhibitions

Noor's works have been displayed since 1978 in more than 400 exhibitions in Estonia, Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Colombia, China, Denmark, France, Spain, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Yugoslavia, Lithuania, South-Korea, Latvia, Poland, Serbia, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Slovakia, Finland, Hungary, Ukraine, the USA, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.
Has had 86 solo exhibitions: 68 in Estonia, 8 in Finland, 4 in Russia, 3 in Germany, 2 in Komi Republic and 1 in Belarus.

Selected exhibitions:


2024
Group exhibition of Estonian illustrators "Leafing Through Estonian Children's Books V", National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Tallinn Illustrations Triennial (TIT 2023 and TIT 2020 ), Płocka Galeria Sztuki, Poland
Exhibition of Estonian and Spanish illustrators ā€œReflectionsā€,Ā  Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre; Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators "Capturing Wonder with Pictures", KƤrdla Culture Centre

 

2023
VII Tallinn Illustrations Triennial (TIT 2023), Estonian Museum of Architecture
ā€žSecret Livesā€œ IV, Romanian Peasant Museum, Bukarest
International exhibition of illustration "Fox Spirit. Fox Charm", Nadbałtyckie Centrum Kultury, Poland
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators "Fresh Book Pictures", Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre, Tapa Library, KƤrdla Library
Solo exhibition "A walk in light and shadow", Viimsi Pihlakodu
Solo exhibition "Walk", ArukĆ¼la library
Solo exhibition "A flower in the grass", Kunstiakna Gallery
Solo exhibition "There is movement in the night", Kohila tower gallery
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators "Fox Spirit. Fox Charm", Tammsaare Museum in VargamƤe
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators "Cape cake", Tapa Town Library
Christmas exhibition of Estonian illustrators "And snow is falling", Saaremaa Art Studio

2022
International exhibition of illustration "Fox Spirit. Fox Charm", Estonian Children's Literature Centre, Estonian National Museum, Latvian National Library
Exhibition of Baltic illustrators "Running with Wolves. Werewolf", Italy and Latvia
Tallinn Illustration Triennial TIT 2020, Centrum Kultury Dworek Białoprądnicki , Poland
ā€žSecret Livesā€œ IV,Chișinău, Moldova
Group exhibition of Estonian artists ā€žSecret Lives IIIā€, The Estonian National Museum
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators "It's Christmas time", Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre
Solo exhibition "Walk", Tapa Town Library, Kiili Library, JĆ¼ri Library, Loo Library
Joint exhibition with JosƩ Luis Ledesman (Argentina-Italy) "Between Ice and Fire",, Viimsi Library
Solo exhibition "Dreamer", Art Window gallery
Solo exhibition "Tree of Love", Kiili Library
Solo exhibition "In the Light and Shadow", St. John's Church gallery

2021
Exhibition of Baltic illustrators "Running with Wolves. Werewolf", Napoli, Rome, Frigento, Italy
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators "Secret Lives III", Szczecin, Gdansk, Poland; Kondas Centre, Viljandi; Estonian National Museum, Tartu
Tallinn Illustrations Triennial TIT 2020, Moscow, Krasnoarmeysk, Russia
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB 2021), Slovakia
"Leafing Through Estonian Children's Books IV", Moscow
TIT 2020 & "Leafing Through Estonian Children's Books IV", Mytishchi, Russia
"Fables for Robots", Estonian Children's Literature Centre; Central Library of LƤƤne County, Haapsalu; Gdansk, Poland
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators "Fox Spirit. Fox Charm", Estonian Children's Literature Centre, Tallinn; Central Library of LƤƤne County, Haapsalu
Spring exhibition of Estonian illustrators, Tapa Public Library, Estonia
Children's Books Illustrations from Estonian artists, Kehra, Estonia
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators "From the Mountains to the Sea", Central Library of LƤƤne County, Haapsalu
Group exhibition of Estonian artists "Christmas Tale", Syktyvkar, Komi Republic
"Leafing Through Estonian Children's Books V", Pskov, Russia
"Little Grimm", Kostivere, Estonia

Solo exhibition "Winter expectation", Central Library of Saare County, Kuressaare
Jubilee exhibition "Fairy's Birthday", Central Library of LƤƤne County, Haapsalu
Jubilee exhibition "Walk", Central Library of Saare County, Kuressaare; Viimsi Library
Great solo exhibition, PƤrnu ƜlejƵe School
Solo exhibition "Tree of Love", Viimsi Library, Estonia; Syktyvkar, Komi Republic
Small Christmas exhibition, Estonian Children's Literature Centre, Tallinn
Solo exhibition "Christmas Light", Syktyvkar, Komi Republic
Joint exhibition with JosƩ Luis Ledesman (Argentina-Italy) "Between Ice and Fire", Kuressaare

Participation in Sharjah International Exhibition for Children's Books Illustrations, Sharjah and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates

Participation in exhibitions: "Dark Tales", St. Petersburg, Nevskaja, Russia; "In Search of Beauty" Rome; contemporary art biennial "Environment-memory-future" Puglia, Italy; joint exhibitions with Piret Pusa Bergmann, JĆ¼ri Mildeberg, Aleksei Kornilov inĀ  Belarus; international art projects with "Studio 14": "ŠšŠøцуŠ½Ń. Š›ŠøсьŠø чŠ°Ń€Ń‹" and "Museum of Supernatural History", St. Petersburg

2020
Tallinn Illustrations Triennial (TIT), Estonia
International exhibition of illustrations ā€œPeace Should Be Learned in Childhoodā€, Tehran, Iran
Group exhibition of Estonian artists ā€žSecret Lives IIIā€, Warsaw, Płock, KrakĆ³w, Poland
Group exhibition of Estonian illustrators ā€œLeafing Through Estonian Childrenā€™s Books IIIā€, Moscow, Russia
International illustrations exhibition "It's Always Tea-Time", Vyborg, St. Petersburg, Russia; Kondas Centre, Viljandi
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators ā€œFrom the Mountains to the Seaā€, Central Library of Saare County, Kuressaare
Midsummer spring exhibition of Estonian illustrators, Estonian Children's Literature Centre
"Picture World of Tales and Fairy Tales", Central Library of LƤƤne County, Haapsalu
"Fairy Tales from Near and Far", Viljandi City Gallery
Solo exhibitions: "Walk", Estonian Children's Literature Centre; solo exhibiton at contemporary art festivalĀ  "PONAEHALI", St. Petersburg; "Running with Wolves", Belorus; "Tree of Love", Estonian National Museum, Tartu; VƵru; "Fairy's Birthday" Central Library of LƤƤne County, Haapsalu
Joint exhibition with JosƩ Luis Ledesma "Between Ice and Fire", Estonian National Library; Kondas Centre, Viljandi
Christman exhibitions at Central Library of Saare County, Kuressaare, and SƵmeru
Participation in group exhibitions: "Peace Should Be Learned in Childhood", Teheran, Iran; "Abrazo de oso", MƔlaga, Spain; "Sea Change", Birmingham
Participation in group exhibitions of International Art Laboratory in Minsk, Grodno, OrŔa, Belorus.

2019
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB), Slovakia
Sharjah Childrenā€™s Book Illustrations Exhibition, the United Arab Emirates
International illustrations exhibition "Illustrating Life - International Illustration & Contemporary Life IV", Prince Gong's Mansion, Beijing, China
Spring exhibition of Estonian illustrators, Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators ā€œFrom the Mountains to the Seaā€, KrakĆ³w, Rabka-ZdrĆ³j, Elbląg, Poland
International illustrations exhibition "It's Always Tea-Time", Moscow, Krasnoarmeysk, Mytishchi, Russia
Group exhibition of Estonian illustrators ā€œLeafing Through Estonian Childrenā€™s Books IIā€, Moscow, Kolomna, Russia
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators "Once Upon a Time..." (Grimm's Fairy tales), Opole, Gdansk, Poland
"Stories of Werewolf Through the Eyes of Estonian Illustrators" (little werewolf exhibition), Pskov, St. Petersburg, Russia
Solo exhibitions: "Soul Animals", Tallinn; "Tree of Love", MƤrjamaa, Kehra; Christman exhibitions in Kehra, Kostivere, Viimsi
International exhibitions with "Studio 14": "Running with Wolves", Hiiumaa Museum; "5 emotions", St. Petersburg; international art festival at Riga railway museum; "Room of Fears", St. Petersburg

2018
Group exhibition of Estonian artists ā€žSecret Lives IIā€, Skizza gallery, Jerusalem, Israel
Group exhibition of Estonian illustrators ā€žTra ghiaccio e fuocoā€œ, Rome, Pesco Sannita, Italy

2018ā€“2020
Exhibition of Baltic illustrators ā€œRunning with Wolvesā€, London, the United Kingdom; Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre (ā€œWolf Runā€), Tallinn; Gdańsk, Wrocław, Białystok, Warsaw, Płock, Szczecin, Poland; Pordenone, Italy; Vilnius, Lithuania

2018ā€“2019
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators ā€œRunning with Wolvesā€, Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre, Tallinn; selected works, Pskov, St. Petersburg, Russia

2018
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators ā€žMasters of Estonian childrenā€™s booksā€œ/ā€œPower of Picturesā€œ in Russia: Krasnoarmeysk, Moscow

2017
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB), Slovakia
Tallinn Illustrations Triennial (TIT), Estonia
Spring exhibition of Estonian illustrators, Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre
Group exhibition of Estonian illustrators ā€œLeafing Through Estonian Childrenā€™s Books Iā€, Moscow, Kolomna, Russia

2016
Solo exhibition ā€œMay Lily and Anemoneā€, Kondas Centre, Viljandi, Estonia
Spring exhibition of Estonian illustrators, Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre

2016ā€“2019
International exhibition ā€žIllustrating Life ā€“ International Illustration & Contemporary Lifeā€œ IIā€“IV, Beijing, China

2016ā€“2018
Group exhibition of Estonian artists ā€žSecret Lives Iā€, hotel Sofitel in Strasbourg, Embassy of Estonia in Paris, France
Exhibition of Estonian illustrators ā€œFairy Tales Come to Visitā€, New York Estonian House, USA
Travelling exhibition of Estonian illustrators, ā€œA Walk on the Path of Fairy Tale
Together with Charles Perraultā€, Moscow, Krasnoarmeysk, Mytishchi, Russia
Exhibiton of Estonian illustrators ā€œNeighbours Who Love Readingā€, Pskov City Library, Russia

2015ā€“2020
International illustration exhibition, ā€œItā€™s Always Tea-Timeā€, Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature
Centre, Tallinn; Riga, Latvia; Uusikaupunki, Finland; Gdansk, Wrocław, Toruń, Elbląg, Poland; Berlin,
Germany; Szczecin, Płock, Poland; Budapest, Hungary; Oxford, the United Kingdom; Moscow,
Krasnoarmeysk, Mytishchi, Vyborg, St. Petesburg, Russia

2015ā€“2019
Exhibition of Estonian Illustrators, ā€œOnce Upon a Time...ā€ (Grimmā€™s Fairy Tales),
Aosta, Anagni, Lagonegro, Bernalda-Metaponto, Corato, Matera, Roma, Lacco Ameno,
Irsina, Siracusa, Sassari, Roma, Bologna, Italy; Estonian Childrenā€™s Literature Centre,
Tallinn; Minsk, Belarus; KrakĆ³w, Łomża, Białystok, Szczecin, Płock, Warszaw, Elbląg,
Gdańsk, Opole, Poland

2015ā€“2016
Travelling exhibition, ā€œMade with the Heart. Estonian Childrenā€™s Book Illustrationā€, Moscow, Krasnoarmeysk, Cheboksary, Russia

2015
European Professional Doll Art Festival, Riga, Latvia

2014ā€“2015
Solo exhibition ā€œTree of Loveā€, Tallinn, Haapsalu, PƤrnu, Viljandi, Estonia

2014
International exhibition ā€žBEE ARTā€, Hamburg, Germany
International exhibition of illustrations, ā€žBeyond the Seasā€, Budapest, Hungary
European Professional Doll Art Festival, Riga, Latvia

2014ā€“2017
ā€œTallinn Illustration Triennial 2013. Estonian Illustratorsā€, Estonia, Poland

2013
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB), Slovakia
International Biennial of the Illustration, ā€œGolden Pen of Belgradeā€, Serbia
Tallinn Illustrations Triennial (TIT), Estonia
Travelling exhibition of Estonian illustration, ā€œEtelƤstƤ tuulee ā€“ LƵunatuul puhubā€ (The South Wind Blows), Finland

2013ā€“2015
Exhibition by Estonian and Hungarian Illustrators, ā€œCrisscross Storiesā€, Estonia, Hungary, the United Kingdom

2013ā€“2014
Group exhibition, ā€œThe Visions of Mother Goose. Tribute to Charles Perraultā€, Tallinn, Estonia

2012
Group exhibition ā€žFour Is Better than Threeā€, Estonia, Finland

2012ā€“2013
Exhibition by Estonian illustrators, ā€œOld Fairy Talesā€ (Brothers Grimm), Estonia, Russia
Travelling exhibition ā€œA Handful of Book Illustrations by Estonian Artistsā€, Poland

2011
International Biennial of the Illustration, ā€œGolden Pen of Belgradeā€, Serbia
Group exhibition ā€žMe kolmekesi tulemeā€, Pskov Art Museum, Russia

2011ā€“2018
Exhibition of artists from the Baltic Sea countries, ā€œSea Fairy Talesā€, Estonia, Finland, Russia, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Estonia

2010ā€“2011
Travelling Exhibition of Estonian Book Illustration, Russia, Finland

2009
Solo exhibition ā€žChristmas Lightā€œ, Exhibition Hall of the Parliament of Estonia, Tallinn
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB), Slovakia
International Biennial of the Illustration, ā€œGolden Pen of Belgradeā€, Serbia
Tallinn Illustrations Triennial (TIT), Estonia

2009ā€“2010
2nd ā€œBlue Book Groupā€, an international illustration exhibition, Iran, Japan, Spain, Argentina

2007
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB), Slovakia
International Biennial of the Illustration, ā€œGolden Pen of Belgradeā€, Serbia

2006
Solo exhibition ā€žNallet, enkelit, hiiri ja niiden ystƤvƤpiiriā€, Cultural Centre Cruselli, Uusikaupunki; Puppet Theatre Sampo, Helsinki, Finland
Solo exhibition ā€žIllustrationsā€, Kondas Centre, Viljandi, Estonia
Solo exhibition ā€žBears, Angels and Their Friendsā€, Haapsalu City Gallery, Estonia
Tallinn Illustrations Triennial (TIT), Estonia
International exhibition ā€žEl desfile de los animalesā€, LeĆ³n, Spain

2005
Solo exhibition ā€œBook Illustrationsā€, National Library of Estonia, Tallinn
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB), Slovakia

2003
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB), Slovakia
International Biennial of the Illustration, ā€œGolden Pen of Belgradeā€, Serbia
Tallinn Illustrations Triennial (TIT), Estonia

2001
Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB), Slovakia
International Biennial of the Illustration, ā€œGolden Pen of Belgradeā€, Serbia
Biennial of European Illustrations in Japan (BEIJ)

About the author

2019
Viive Noor at the Rabka International Festival of Childrenā€™s Literature
Viive Noor on a Book Tour in Italy
Viive Noor Received an Honorary Mention in the Sharjah Illustrations Exhibition
Esce ā€œTamburopoliā€, testo italiano, immagini estoni (Estonia Magazine, Italian)

2016
Exhibition of Viive Noorā€™s Illustrations ā€œChristmas is Comingā€

Radio Tajala (Facebook)

Contact info