Kadri Toom’s practice centres on experimental and alternative graphic techniques, often engaging with themes of the built environment, urban structures, and how contemporary people interact with space through both digital and physical experiences. Her works use expressive colour and precise linework, challenging traditional forms of printmaking and pushing the boundaries of contemporary graphic expression.
“Canada has a long and consistent tradition of graphic art,” says Toom. “With international graphic artists gathering here in 2025, I feel this is the right time and place to be experimenting, learning, and sharing ideas.”
During her residency, Toom will explore local architecture, particularly the contrast between neoclassical structures and new developments, through pinhole photography and photo-drawing collages. She plans to collaborate with Smokestack Studio, a contemporary print and photo facility in Hamilton, and immerse herself in the creative community at the Cotton Factory.
Her program includes practical experimentation, skill-sharing, and furthering her education through local partnerships and artist exchanges. The residency reflects the core goals of the Nordic Artist Exchange: to foster international collaboration, promote innovation in visual arts, and build enduring cultural bridges between Canada and Northern Europe.
Toom holds a master’s degree in Graphic Arts from the Estonian Academy of Arts and has exhibited extensively in Estonia and abroad. She was named Graphic Artist of the Year by the Estonian Association of Graphic Artists in 2021 and has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Estonian Cultural Endowment Annual Award and the Wiiralt Prize. Her work has been featured in international residencies, exhibitions, and collaborative art projects across Europe.
The Cotton Factory and its partners in Hamilton and Taillin look forward to supporting Kadri’s creative journey throughout her residency and to sharing her work with the public through upcoming exhibitions and events.
About the Nordic Artist Exchange (NAX):
The Nordic Artist Exchange is a cultural exchange residency between Hamilton, Ontario and Tallinn, Estonia. Designed to foster cross-cultural collaboration and professional development, NAX supports emerging and mid-career artists working across disciplines.
About the Cotton Factory:
Located in a repurposed textile mill, the Cotton Factory is a creative hub for artists, makers, designers, and entrepreneurs. The site hosts exhibitions, workshops, residencies, and community events that activate Hamilton’s cultural sector and support local and international talent. The Cotton Factory is located at 270 Sherman Avenue North in Hamilton. www.cottonfactory.ca
