Tõnis Saadoja (1980) is a painter whose work explores various facets of realism and seeks connections between historical and contemporary painting. His main themes revolve around the relationships between memory, place, and meaning. His works are characterized by a conceptual structure and a pursuit of a technically distinctive form tailored to the imagery. Saadoja’s practice primarily consists of cohesive series, where a chosen motif is varied across a sequence of paintings. Often using photography as a starting point, he engages with the apparent neutrality of photographic representation and its simultaneous ability to reflect reality.

Tõnis Saadoja studied painting at the Estonian Academy of Arts (BA, 2004) and liberal arts at East-London University (MA, 2006). His synthesis of conceptual precision and technical control has been recognized with numerous distinctions, including Konrad Mägi Award (2015), Kristjan Raud Award (2013), and three Annual Awards of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia (2012, 2008, 2006). Earlier honors include Vaal Gallery Young Artist Prize (2004) and Köler Prize People’s Choice Award (2011). In 2025, Tõnis Saadoja was awarded the Order of Merit of the White Star, Fifth Class, one of Estonia’s highest honors for cultural contribution.

Tõnis Saadoja’s works are represented in major public collections, including the Art Museum of Estonia, Tartu Art Museum, and the University of Tartu Art Museum, alongside numerous private collections.

The artist’s latest exhibitions include “Then” at Tütar gallery, “Lost Summer Skies” (with Kristi Kongi) at Pontone Gallery, London (2024), “Height Above Sea Level” at Kumu Art Museum, Tallinn (2023), “The landscape runs through the house” (with Paul Kuimet) at Tartu Art Museum (2022).

Tõnis Saadoja is represented by Tütar gallery.