(1931-2003)
Born in Tartu, Estonia
Artist, caricaturist, poet, sculptor. Born on June 4, 1931 in Tartu, Estonia. Lived in Germany (1944-48), Venezuela (1948-53), and immigrated to Canada in 1953. First instruction in art and sculpture was from his parents, artist Benita Vomm, and sculptor August Vomm, in Estonia. Studied drawing, painting and sculpture at Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Artes Aplicadas in Caracas, Venezuela (1948-51). Continued his studies taking evening courses at the Ontario College of Art (1954). First exhibited with art students at art school in Caracas (1948-51). Was selected to exhibit with Venezuelan art masters at juried exhibition at Museo de Bellas Artes, Caracas (1950-51). Organized over 11 one-man exhibitions in Toronto. Freelance artist since 1968. Study tours to Italy, France, Sweden, Spain, Canada and the United States (1961-80). In Canada traveled as far north as Whitehorse, Yukon. Exhibited at the Estonian House in New York in 1952 and since 1954 in Toronto.
Founding member of EKKT and its secretary for 27 years. Exhibited in EKKT annual exhibitions (1956-90), in Vancouver (1961), in Sudbury, Montreal, at Esto ’72 in Toronto, Esto ’76 in Baltimore, Esto ’80 in Stockholm, at Esto ’84 at the O’Keefe Centre at Salute to Esto ’84 in Toronto and at Esto ’88 at the Victoria Gallery in Melbourne, Australia.
Internationally known caricaturist for over 35 years. Worked as caricaturist at the Canadian National Exhibition, the Royal Winter Fair, the Home Show, Expo ’67 in Montreal, Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan, Oktoberfest in Kitchener (1970-90), and Ontario Place (1970-89).
Illustrated his poetry collections “My Soul”, “Shadows” and “Jumalaga”. Has also written articles for newspapers, and published “Estonian, English and 60 Different Languages – A Comparative Dictionary”, copies of which are at the Estonian Scientific Institute in Sweden and at the Metropolitan Reference Library, where his painting “The Changing World” is also on permanent display.
Received Volunteer Service Award from the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture (1987). Articles in many periodicals, magazines, and catalogues. Interviewed by Pat Murray on CFTO in Toronto (1973), appeared in the Globe and Mail (1972, 1987 and on the front page in 1973), in Mana (E. Kõks 1962 and 1968), in the Toronto Star (May, 1987), Expo News, Osaka, Japan (1970). Works in most countries of the world and in private and public collections. Honorary Member of EKKT.
First prize in Sculpture at EKKT’s 35thAnniversary Juried Art Exhibition at Samuel J. Zacks Gallery, York University, 1990. Exhibited at all EKKT art exhibitions since 1956. Exhibited at EKKT’s 40thAnnual Juried Exhibition in 1995. In 1997 won Honourable Mention for his sculpture of Estonian Chessmaster Paul Keres, also III Jury Prize for his painting “Canada Day at Expo ‘70”. In the nineties, participated as caricaturist for Toronto ArtsWeek. Participated in 1996 at the A.H. Tammsaare Museum in Tallinn, Estonia in the “August Vomm & Family” art exhibition, to commemorate father sculptor August Vomm’s 90thbirthday (August Vomm died in 1976). Exhibited with EKKT at the Kastellanimaja Gallery in Tallinn, Estonia in August, September and October, 1996. Exhibition of his paintings at Estonian National Library early 1990’s. In 1998 held his one-man show at the Estonian House Gallery. Exhibited at the Rakvere Museum, at the “Mölder’s & Vomm’s Family Exhibition”., which toured to Narva Art Museum and Viljandi Art Hall in 1998. Works at the Estonian National Art Museum (Tallinn), at Rakvere Museum, at Estonian National Library, Tartu University, Tartu Art Museum, Riverdale Hospital, Versa Care Nursing Home. In many periodicals, magazines, catalogues, video films, EKABL Encyclopedia (Tallinn 1996). Wrote his memoirs by hand to be published in the future. Died in Toronto on August 11, 2003.
