Estonian artist Meru Meru has created an incredible set of artistic works. Her paintings are very colourful, thought provoking and intense. She seeks to paint alluring and provocative pictures by using bright imagery and soft brush strokes.

Her communication with art grew stronger while she was studying law and working on various creative projects at the same time. Studying such an academic subject as well as exploring her artistic talent, allowed her to discover contrasts. She learnt how different things complement each other, which helped her to realize her ideas. This is probably reflected in her works.

She often compares herself to the famous Salvador Dali – believing that each dream is can be experienced as if it were real. Many of her paintings are inspired by the subconscious and particularly this collection has a strong correlation with her dream state.

She recalls the night she painted the main piece for the upcoming exhibition at The Islington Company gallery:

“it all started from a strange dream I had. I woke up in the middle of the night and I felt like creating a painting. I didn’t even have an idea what the painting was about. I went back to sleep after I finished it. The next day I couldn’t explain it to myself at all and I wondered why there is a Picasso bird on that girls shoulder. But I thought, they look like they love each other.”

This gave her the title of her exhibition "Love the little bird on your shoulder." After the ideas came to her in her sleep, it was only later she managed to decipher their meaning  “I just googled ‘Love the little bird on your shoulder.’ And yes Google helps – I found the meaning of it and it scared me a bit.”

She discovered that according to Zen Buddhism, there is a little bird on each of our shoulders, which reminds us of death. Telling us that death is inevitable, and unpredictable, that each day could be the last day of our life as we know it.

She explains, “the purpose of this imaginary companion, the bird on our shoulders, is to make sure we NEVER lose sight of death.”

The significance of the themes of life and death play a large role in her work. She explores how to truly remain alive until we die and how to value all the little things and to cherish the moments in life. Love the little bird on your shoulder attempts to provide an answer.

By expressing the delight she receives from painting through her vibrant works, she seeks to create beautiful pieces that generate positive thoughts. Her works will be on display at The Islington Company gallery from the 27th of May until the 26th July.

The Islington Company will be hosting a private view on the 14th of June complete with music, waffles and wine. So come and join us for an evening of art, fun and delicious goodies.