Jaak Soans

Jaak Soans (born 6 August 1943) is an Estonian sculptor and art educator, known especially for public monuments and memorial sculpture in Estonia and abroad.

Soans taught for decades at the institution now known as the Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA), including as professor and head of the sculpture department, and later became emeritus professor.

Early life and education Soans was born in Tartu.

Career Soans began teaching while still a student and continued as a long-term instructor and professor in Estonia's higher art education system, alongside his studio practice and public commissions.

Works Soans is widely associated with monumental public sculpture, including commemorative monuments and memorials. Bas-relief memorial to Michel Sittow (Rataskaevu 22, Tallinn, 1982). Monument to Kristjan Jaak Peterson (Tartu). Monument to Jakob Hurt (Tartu). Monument to writer Jaan Kross (Tallinn, unveiled 2022). Lenin monument “V. I. Lenin. Decree on Land” (Schwerin, Germany, unveiled 1985). Playing Waves (Wijk aan Zee sculpture park “Een Zee van Staal”, Netherlands, 1999). Deportation memorial at Võru railway station (Võru, 2016). Deportation memorial at Põlva railway station (Põlva, unveiled 2020).

Collections and publications Works by Soans are held in the collections of the Art Museum of Estonia (EKM), as documented in its digital collections portal. His work has also been presented in a book-length illustrated overview (1966–2016), reported in Estonian cultural media and listed in art-publication archives.

Images of selected works

Awards and honours Kristjan Raud Prize (1974; 1986). Order of the White Star, III class (2001). Tallinn decoration (2023).