b.Sydney, Australia
EDUCATION
2025-
Library and Information Services, Ultimo College of TAFE, Sydney
2024
PhD – Artistic research (cum laude), Estonian Academy of Arts, Tallinn
2019
Doctoral candidate, Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney
2018
Visiting Research Fellow, Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney
2001
Master of Fine Art, College of Fine Art, University of New South Wales, Sydney
1989
Jewellery Design Certificate, Randwick College of TAFE, Sydney
1985
Bachelor of Art (Visual), City Art Institute, Sydney
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022
Kodunäitus / Home Exhibition, Lembitu St, Tallinn
2021
An Octopus's Garden of Silly Delights, A-Gallery, Tallinn
2020
Arhiivist: Kogum kummalisi juhtumeid / From the archive: A collection of funny things, Tartu Art House, Tartu
Thea Koristaja Majamuuseum / Thea Koristaja Museum, Hobusepea Gallery, Tallinn
2019
Distracting the workers / Töölisi peibutades, Trepigalerii, Estonian Academy of Arts, Tallinn
Exhibition for my supervisor, Test Space, Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney
2018
Documentary Evidence, Sydney College of the Arts foyer exhibition space, Sydney
2017
Scrub, Adamson-Eric Museum, Tallinn
2015
Ad infinitum, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Ad infinitum, Kulturcentrum Konsthall, Ronneby, Sweden
2014
The Cleaner, Draakon Gallery, Tallinn
2013
Aagh! Õehh!, Hop Gallery, Tallinn
2012
Everyday / Kasdien, (AV17) Gallery, Vilnius, Lithuania
Everyday / Iga päev, Hop Gallery, Tallinn
2011
Studio, Draakon Gallery, Tallinn
2010
How to become free, Museum of New Art, Pärnu, Estonia
2009
How to become free, Riigikogu Exhibition Hall, Tallinn
2008
Pantry, A-Gallery safe, Tallinn
Antipodes, Hop Gallery, Tallinn
2003
Selected Stories, Gallery Põlendruum, Tallinn
2002
Corners and Cornices, Linnagalerii, Tallinn
2001
Homeworks, Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney
1991
Sculptures, Vaal Gallery, Tallinn
PARASITE EXHIBITING (as an invited guest)
2024
Box Seats. Ridadevaheline, Laura de Jaeger's solo exhibition, Hobusepea Gallery, Tallinn
2023
The joy derived from observing birds, Aksel Haagensen’s exhibition curated by Saskia Lillepuu, Tartu Art House Small Gallery, Tartu and Hop Gallery, Tallinn
Ollamise Mäng, Tea Lemberpuu’s exhibition, Tartu Art House, Estonia
2022
A Long Engagement/Pikem suhe, curated by Marta Konovalov, Kondas Centre, Viljandi
2021
Room of Secrets Tiina Sarapu’s exhibition, Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Tallinn
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025
Size Is Not Important, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
From an Urgent Inner Need, Pärnu Museum of New Art, Estonia
Bread is the head of everything, curators Tina Haber, Thomas Ravens, Birgit Schlieps, Narva Art Residency, Estonia
Estonian Art ASMR, curator Brigit Arop, Estonian Museum of Contemporary Art
Artishok Biennial – Siesta, curators Brigit Arop and Margit Säde, Tallinn Central Market
Unfortunately, You Were Not Selected This Time, curators Katariin Mudist and Keithy Kuuspu, Tartu Art House, Estonia
Abundance, international group exhibition curated by students of Estonian Academy of Arts, T1 Shopping Centre, Tallinn
2024
Muhune Jälg (Traces of Muhu), curator Kirsten Einer Lillepuu, Muhu Museum, Estonia
Ma magan nii palju maha kui ma maal ei käi, curators Raahel Rüütel and Kärt Heinvere, Vergi Seltsimaja, Estonia
24th Spring Exhibition, with Aksel Haagensen, Lasnamäe Paviljon, Tallinn Art Hall, Estonia
2023
Möhkönvirta Contemporary Art, Möhkö, Finland
23rd Spring Exhibition, Lasnamäe Pavillion, Tallinn Art Hall
2022
Density/Scarcity, online exhibition, curators Nicole Lenzi and Joana Fischer
Colour-Go-Go, Tampere Maja, Tartu, Estonia
Colour-Go-Go, Ruutikellari galerii, Hamina, Finland
Colour-Go-Go, Võromaakultuurikoda, Võru, Estonia
Huntenkunst Art Fair and The Estonian’s are Coming exhibition, Ulft, Holland
22nd Spring Exhibition, Tallinn Art Hall, Tallinn
2021
CITYA Tallinn – City as Medium, International Urban Triennial, Tallinn
Tallinn 6th International Drawing Triennial, ARS Art Factory, Tallinn
Copper Leg Art Resident’s exhibition, Rae Cultural Centre, Jüri, Estonia
21st Spring Exhibition, Tallinn Art Hall
2020
Rakupaku VI workshop exhibition, Haapsalu, Estonia
Maintenance is a Drag (It takes all the Fucking Time) EKA Gallery, Estonian Academy of Arts, Tallinn
2019
Vedeliku sügisnäitus, Kullo Laste Loomingumaja, Tallinn
Tallinn 5th Drawing Triennial winners exhibition, Vabaduse Gallery, Tallinn
Pärast tööpäeva lõppu / At the end of the workday, Vent Space, Tallinn
Suburban Xtra, Bearded Tit Bar and Creative Space, Sydney
Herland, Women’s Library, Newtown, Sydney
2018
Hidden sculpture walk, Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney
Living Space, Red Gallery, Melbourne
Jubilee Spring, Tallinn Art Hall
Vedelik:Hattunäyttelyn, Metropol Gallery, Tallinn
2017
Apocalypse Now, Amandus Adamson Ateljeemuuseum, Paldiski and Pakri Peninsula, Estonia
Margin to Margin, Helinä Rautavaaran Museo, Espoo, Finland
Collected Works, Permanent exhibition of Estonian Museum of Applied Art, Tallinn
2016
Every Margin Tells a Story, Galleries Katve I and Katve II, Artikum Centre, Rovaniemi, Finland
The Exotic of the Ordinary, Curated section of 16th Annual Estonian Artists’ Association exhibition, Linnagalerii, Tallinn
2015
Black and White, Tallinn 5th Drawing Triennial, Tallinn Art Hall
Hotel, Reigi Parsonage, Hiiumaa, Estonia
2014
Words & Works from a World Away, Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Tallinn
The Meaning of (Still) Life, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Kilometre of Sculpture, Rakvere, Estonia
2013
Maximus Minimus, 18th Annual 6x6x6 Inch Miniature Sculpture Show, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Cheongju International Craft Biennale, South Korea
Words & Works from a World Away, Project Space Spare Room, RMIT, Melbourne
Stuck Together, Defiance Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Please be seated, Defiance Gallery, Sydney, Australia
2012
Tiny Titans & Miniliths, 17th Annual 6x6x6 Inch Miniature Sculpture Show, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Piir, lävi, rada, International Drawing Triennial, Viinistu Art Museum
Silent Revolution, International Drawing Triennial, Art Hall, Tallinn
2011
Ultramarine, Noblessner Foundary, Tallinn
Drawing Show, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Abstract, Art Hall, Tallinn
2010
The Drawing Show, Defiance Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Sculpture 2010, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
2009
You Little beauty!, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Variations, Agija Suna Gallery, Riga, Latvia
Self Exposure, Art Hall, Tallinn
The Salon Hang, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Manu Propria, Tallinn Drawing Triennial, National Library and MÄSU Gallery, Tallinn
Mystery of Amber Colours, Gintaro galerija-muziejus,Vilnius, Lithuania
XII Moscow International Art Salon CHA, Central House of Artists, Moscow
2008
Vabaduse Square, Art Hall, Tallinn
Inclusion – a window to the past, Gintaro galerija-muziejus,Vilnius, Lithuania
2007
One Small Step for Mankind, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
The Art of Living, Art Hall, Tallinn
2006
Improvisation, International exhibition of drawings, Art Hall, Tallinn
2005
The Defiance Drawing Show, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Quiet Conversation, (with Anni Kagovere and Merle Kasonen), Viviann Napp Gallery, Tallinn
2004
The March of the Miniatures, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Laegas, Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Tallinn
Kunsti Remont, KUNSTISUVI 2004, Pärnu Concert Hall, Pärnu, Estonia
2003
NOTES–3 Dimensional Estonian Art, Szentendre Art Mill, Hungary
Kättevõtmise asi, Tallinn Art Hall, Tallinn
The Defiance Group Show II, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
2002
Annual 6” Miniature Sculpture Show, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Drawing 2002, Tallinn Art Hall, Tallinn
Sculpture and Painting, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Sculpture 2002, Campbelltown City Bicentennial Art Gallery, Sydney
2001
Sculpture 2001, Access Contemporary Art Gallery, Defiance Gallery and Campbelltown City Bicentennial Art Gallery, Sydney
2000
The Importance of Being Small, Defiance and King St. Galleries, Sydney
d-struct, Kudos Gallery, Sydney
Various Views–Paintings and Sculptures, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Painted Furniture–Space and Form 2000, Art Hall Gallery, Tallinn
1998
2 View, (with Mark Draper), Defiance Gallery, Sydney
The Defiant 6”–67 Sculptors Working to a Brief, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, Sydney
Calibration, COFA Exhibition/Performance Space, College of Fine Art, UNSW, Sydney
Uncommon Masters, College of Fine Art Exhibition/Performance Space, UNSW, Sydney
1997
Prototüübid, The Applied Art Museum, Tallinn
1996
Pieces of Eight, Particle Gallery, Sydney
1994
50 Years Estonian Art in Exile–Retrospective Exhibition, National Art Museum of Estonia, Tallinn
1990
Graduate Metal Four, The Works Gallery, Sydney
ART PERFORMANCES
2020
The Cleaner, TaDaa Street Theatre Festival, Lasnamägi, Tallinn
Thea Cleaner Cleans, Maintenance is a Drag, EKA Gallery, Estonian Academy of Arts, Tallinn
2019
Thea Cleaner, Pärast tööpäeva lõppu / At the end of the workday, Vent Space, Tallinn
2018
Mourning Sweeper, Hidden sculpture walk, Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney
The Sweeping Game, Endeavour Park, Melbourne
2017
The Cleaner, TaDaa Street Theatre Festival, Telliskivi Creative City, Tallinn
Dirt is Easy, Veerenni Street, Tallinn
VIDEO SCREENINGS
2024
While the Fix the Roof, Personal is Political, Daylight Project, Lasnamäe, Tallinn
The Mop; Maria and Feliks, How to Clean a Swimming Pool, From Tanks To Pools, Daylight Project, Lasnamäe, Tallinn
2021
Maria and Feliks, AFF (ARS Film Festival), Tallinn
2019
How to clean a swimming pool, AFF (ARS Film Festival), Tallinn
2018
The Cleaner–Telliskivi, AFF (ARS Film Festival), Tallinn
2016
The Cleaner Sweeping, Narrating the Marginal, Lapin Yliopilasteateri, Rovaniemi, Finland
PRIZES
2024
First prize in category for publication in artistic research, Estonian Academy of Arts
2021
Prize winner, Tallinn 6th International Drawing Triennial
2018
Finalist and Highly Commended, Hidden Rookwood Cemetery Sculpture Walk, Sydney
2015
Prize winner, Tallinn 5th International Drawing Triennial
2012
Diploma, Tallinn 4th International Drawing Triennial
2006
Winner Estonian Ministry of Culture competition for early childhood books, Hei, Otto!
WORK IN COLLECTIONS
Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Tallinn, Estonia
Gintaro galerija-muziejus, Vilnius, Lithuania
The Lady Ethel Nock Sculpture Collection, NSW Australia
Campbelltown City Bicentennial Art Gallery, NSW Australia
TEACHING
2019–2024
Lecturer–Estonian Academy of Art, Tallinn
1999–2017
Lecturer–Estonian Academy of Art, Tallinn
1994–1998, 2001
Lecturer–Sydney Institute of Technology, Design Centre Enmore, Sydney
1992–1993
Teacher–Randwick College of Technical and Further Education, Sydney
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
2023 Kingfisher Research Residency, SODAS 2123
and Vilnius Academy of Arts, Vilnius, Lithuania
2021 Vent Space, Tallinn
2021 Copperleg AiR, Rae, Estonia
2018 Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney
2017 Rucka AiR, Cesis, Latvia
2013 Mustarinda, Finland
2012 Kolin Ryynänen, Koli, Finland
2009 Portait Residence, Pori Society of Artists, Pori, Finland
2002 Polli Talu Creative Arts Centre, Estonia
Master’s thesis
Homeworks: relationships between drawing and sculpture, 2001, University of New South Wales hdl.handle.net/1959.4/70024
PhD thesis
In the In-Between : Explorations into the Line Between Art and Everyday Life as Seen Through the Eyes of a Practicing Visual Artist”, 2024, Estonian Academy of Arts
https://eka.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/SO_e169b933-ea43-41e1-8d5e-477e6f1a80c8/
PRESENTATIONS AT CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS
2023
The unravelling line taken on a walk – a performative lecture, Symposium Not Quite King, Not Quite Fish, SODAS 2123 & Vilnius Academy of Arts
2021
An unravelling line: A story of cleaning, Estonian Academy of Arts Doctoral School conference
2020
The circle and the line: What I am doing and how I am doing it, Estonian Academy of Arts Doctoral School conference
2017
The Art of Cleaning, Unwanted, Unnecessary and Uncalled-for: A Workshop on Uselessness. Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis
2016
The importance of the everyday and the mundane. Everyday aesthetics and the art of cleaning, 4th Annual Arts-based and Artistic Research Conference Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland
PAPERS PUBLISHED
2025
Use, Shifted Use and No Use: Making Art and Throwing it Away, Leida, Issue 6, Travels in the Consumption Zone, Estonian Academy of Arts
leida.artun.ee/en/issues/travels-in-the-consumption-zone/use-shifted-use-and-no-use-making-art-and-throwing-it-away
2023
Dirty to Clean and Back: Approaching the Topic of Cleaning, Leida, Issue 2, Post-Industrial Flux, Estonian Academy of Arts
2022
Sticks & the City, Echoes of EARN Gathering at KuvA, Oct 2022, KuvA Research Activities blog
2021
Cleaning in progress: The line between art and life, Journal of Artistic Research
www.researchcatalogue.net/view/887950/887951
2021
Walking and looking in a new way: Utopian Dreams, Ruukku – Studies in Artistic Research
https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/1123907/1123908
2017
What does washing the dishes look like, Synnyt/Origins– Finnish Studies in Art Education
https://wiki.aalto.fi/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=128670903&preview=/128670903/128671130/synnyt_2_2017_Haagensen_web.pdf
INTERVIEWS WITH (in Estonian)
2022 Ulvi Haagensen, Loo ja uuri, https://vimeo.com/715912689
2020 Ulvi Haagensen, Arhiivist: Kogum kummalisi juhtumeid youtu.be/PIScIBKLCRA
MEMBERSHIP OF ASSOCIATIONS
Estonian Artists Association, member since 2000
VAZA – Visual Art Zine Association, founding member, since 2019
