Estonian Artists' Union to hold emergency auction after fraud losses of about €700,000
After fraudsters stole roughly €700,000 from the Estonian Artists' Union's bank accounts in May, the organization will hold an emergency art auction to help cover the losses.
The Estonian Artists' Union, whose bank accounts were targeted by fraudsters earlier this year, plans to sell 124 works of art at auction to help offset its financial losses. A public relations firm representing the union announced the plan.
The auction will feature 124 works recently donated by artists, ranging from paintings and graphic art to photography, sculptural objects and textile art. Among the pieces going under the hammer are works by Jüri Arrak, Enn Põldroos, Tiit Pääsuke, Leonhard Lapin, Jüri Kask, Olev Subbi, Mari Kurismaa and other artists.
A pre-auction exhibition will open on September 18, with the auction itself taking place on October 8, 9 and 10 at the ARS art complex.
Estonian Artists' Union vice-president Tüine-Kristin Vaikla said the auction is being organized to be as open as possible, allowing anyone interested in art to take part either in person at ARS or online. She added that works sold at the auction will not disappear from public view, since the sales contracts will include a clause allowing the pieces to continue being shown at exhibitions in the future.
Fraud occurred in May
On May 15, 2026, criminals used a fraudulent scheme to gain access to the union's bank accounts and siphoned off approximately €700,000, transferring the funds to several countries disguised as salary payments. The union's council has approved the board's proposal to take out a loan to cover the resulting costs, hold an emergency art auction, and sell off real estate.
