Exhibition “Ardo Sivadi. Against the Flow”

The central piece of exhibition is View of Narva.

The painting reflects the beauty and diversity of pre-war Narva’s urban landscape. Architecture, colours, and details create a vivid image of the lost city. Compared to today’s grey Khrushchyovkas, it evokes a sense of loss. The city's former charm is gone, and it resembles many post-Soviet towns. Sivadi’s works allow us to see old Narva again – through the prism of art.

About the artist

Narva-born Ardo Sivadi (born Anatoli Sivard) graduated from the Russian Gymnasium in 1921 and studied under Semyonov. In 1932, he continued at Pallas in Tartu with Ado Vabbe. Later, he taught in Rakvere and Tallinn, and studied further in Berlin and Paris.

In 1941, Sivadi was conscripted into the Red Army. The Eestirand ship was bombed near Prangli Island – Sivadi survived by swimming to shore.

In 1947, he faced political repression for painting Ascension for Rannamõisa Church. Despite restrictions, he continued his work, often anonymously. He died in 1966. His works preserve the old Narva and its people.

About the exhibition

The exhibition series invites us to remember pre-war Narva – a city once full of artistic life.
Three Narva artists – Voldemar Noormägi, Ardo Sivadi and Aleksander Normak – would have celebrated anniversaries in 2025. Their art reflects the fate of the city: prosperity, destruction, and memory.

Each pop-up exhibition focuses on one artist and one painting. The project was created in cooperation with Narva Estonian Gymnasium and the Narva College of the University of Tartu. Texts were written by student Ilya Olkhovetskiy together with Narva Museum. Exhibition is supported by Estonian Cultural Endowment.  

The first exhibition, dedicated to Voldemar Noormägi, was open from May 8 to August 8, 2025.
Free entry at the foyer of Narva College.