Enn Kunila (born 19 March 1950 in Tallinn) is an Estonian entrepreneur and art collector.
Kunila is a Member of the Board and one of the shareholders of NG Investeeringud, which is one of the biggest Estonian private capital based investment and holding companies in Estonia.„Näitus Enn Kunila maalikollektsioonist“ Haus Galerii, 14. juuni 2010. NG Investeeringud group employs more than 4,700 people and operates in trade, industry and real estate.
He was awarded the Order of the White Star, Fourth Class in 2006 by the President of the Republic of Estonia in recognition for his contribution to Estonian entrepreneurship.„Rüütel annab riikliku autasu 834 inimesele“ Eesti Päevaleht, 7. veebruar 2006.
Kunila is a member of the governing bodies of different public enterprise-related organizations. He has been the Chairman of the Council of the Association of Estonian Food Industry„Enn Kunila valiti tagasi toiduliidu volikogu juhtima“ Tarbija24, 30. märts 2012 and a Member of the Council of The Estonian Cultural Endowment for several years.
As an art collector and patron, Kunila has been an endorser of Estonian art life. The Estonian Museum Association entitled Enn Kunila “Friend of Estonian Museums” in 2009,„Aasta muuseumisõbraks valiti ettevõtjast kunstikollektsionäär Enn Kunila“ Klassikaraadio, 31. mai 2009. and in 2010 he was the honouree for the U.S. Baltic Foundation Philanthropy Award of the Baltic States.„Enn Kunila sai USAs filantroopiaauhinna“ Äripäev, 17. mai 2010. In 2012, the Estonian Minister of Culture awarded the title “Friend of Culture 2011” to Kunila.„Lang tunnustas aasta kultuurisõpru – Nordea panka, Nordic Hotelsi ja Enn Kunilat“ Delfi, 3. veebruar 2012.
Kunila has served as the Chairman of the Board of the Art Museum of Estonia Friends of Art Society since its foundation in 2007. He is also the founder of the Board of Art Patrons that has been an important financial supporter of the Art Museum of Estonia Friends of Art Society. Kunila is also a member of the Supervisory Board of the Art Museum of Estonia Foundation since its establishment in 2016.
By profession, Kunila is an engineering-technologist„Teekond põllutöölisest kunstilembeliseks firmaomanikuks“ Äripäev, 29. september 2012. in the field of metal cutting processing.
Career Source:"Kes on kes Eesti majanduses 2010", Tallinn: Eesti Kaubandus- ja Tööstuskoda. (2010) lk 104 1970–1974 the repair and mechanics factory “Progress”, Engineer in Chief/Technologist; 1974–1983 the specialized office of construction at the Ministry of Building Materials’ Industry of the ESSR, Metrologist in Chief of the Ministry 1983–1984 the manufacturing company “Vasar”, Executive of the Marketing Department 1984–1990 the manufacturing company “Norma”, Executive of the Marketing Department 1990–1991 Union of Manufacturing Cooperatives, Director 1991–1994 the public company “Norma”, Import Manager 1994–1996 Norma AS, Import Manager 1996–1999 Norma AS, Vice-Chairman of the Council 1994– ... NG Investeeringud OÜ, Vice-Chairman of the Board
Business AS Liviko, Chairman of the Board„Elu läbi kunsti“ Äripäeva lisa Gentleman, detsember 2008. AS Balbiino, Chairman of the Board AS Tallinna Kaubamaja Kinnisvara, Chairman of the Council OÜ Tartu Kaubamaja Kinnisvara, Chairman of the Council OÜ Roseni Kinnisvara, Chairman of the Council OÜ Roseni Majad, Chairman of the Board
Kunila is also a member of the boards of all the enterprises that belong to the concern of NG Investeeringud.
Social Activity Member of the Estonian Business Association Member of the Board of Trustees of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Chairman of the Board of the Art Museum of Estonia Friends of Art Society Member of the Board of the Cultural Society of Hiiu County"Hiiumaal kõlab esimest korda ooper" ERR, 9. juuli 2012. Chairman of the Society of Friends of Hiiu County Member of the Council of The Estonian Employers’ Confederation 2007–2015 Member of the Board of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2009–2015 Member of the Council of The Association of Estonian Food Industry, in 2007–2015 Chairman of the Council Member of the Council of The Estonian Cultural Endowment in 2007–2009, 2009–2011, 2013–2015 Member of the Supervisory Board of the Art Museum of Estonia Foundation Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Konrad Mägi Foundation
Art Collection Kunila is the founder and owner of one of the finest art collections in Estonia. His art collection comprises works of art by important Estonian artists of the classical period. Kunila's art collection, both at the level of the works of art and at the level of the artists, is comparable to the permanent exhibitions of Estonian art museums concentrating on the same era."Enn Kunila – Kunstiarmastusest sündinud kollektsioon" Kultuur ja Elu, 2010 nr 1.
Kunila's art collection has been exhibited at many significant exhibitions, for example in 2010 at the Tallinn Art Hall, where the exhibition From Köler to Subbi beat the all-time audience record with nearly 13,000 visitors,"Kunila kunstinäitust külastas Tallinnas ligi 13 000 inimest" Äripäev, 2 April 2010. and in the autumn at Kunsthalle Helsinki, with the exhibition Viron Värit (Estonian Colours), which hosted the most elaborate exhibition of Estonian classical art exhibited abroad."Helsingis avati näitus Enn Kunila maalikogust" ERR, 15. oktoober 2010 In 2015, Kunila's art collection was exhibited in Rome at the Vittoriano Museum (Il Vittoriano) with the exhibition I colori del Nord (Nordic Colours).
Kunila has written in Estonian Classical Painting from Enn Kunila’s Collection,Epner, Eero (2010). "Eesti klassikaline maalikunst Enn Kunila kollektsioonis". Tallinn: Sperare, 2010, p 6. the book introducing his art collection:
Kunila also believes that a particular painting may be owned by him, but the value of art pertains to our culture and this obliges him to arrange exhibitions and publish books of his collection.
Artists represented in Kunila's collection include Johann Köler, Amandus Adamson, Paul Raud, Ants Laikmaa, Konrad Mägi, Nikolai Triik, , , Johannes Greenberg, Paul Burman, Ado Vabbe, Aleksander Vardi, Adamson-Eric, Johannes Võerahansu, , Eerik Haamer, Lepo Mikko, , Elmar Kits, Evald Okas, , Olev Subbi, Tiit Pääsuke, et cetera. The collection comprises works of art by more than 60 artists.
Kunila's main adviser in the field of art has been his friend, the painter Olev Subbi."Enn Kunila kunsti täis elu" Postimees – E24, 20. veebruar 2010.
The art critic Eero Epner has written in the book Viron värit – 150 vuotta virolaista maalaustaidetta Enn Kunilan kokoelmastaEpner, Eero (2010). "Viron värit – 150 vuotta virolaista maalaustaidetta Enn Kunilan kokoelmasta". Tallinn: Sperare, 2010, p. 291.
Art exhibitions In 2004 – the exhibition Pühapäev (Sunday) in Lohusalu In 2007 – exhibition of paintings by Olev Subbi at Kärdla Cultural Centre, Hiiu County In 2007 – the exhibition Igatsus ja kohalejõudmine. Töid Enn Kunila kogust (Yearning and Arrival. Artworks from the Collection of Enn Kunila) at the Museum of Hiiu County and Haus Gallery in Tallinn. The exhibition rendered a selection of motifs of journeys and homeland in Estonian art that had been painted in 1880–1960."Kunstikollektsionäär avab näituse Eesti kunstiklassikast" Eesti Päevaleht, 6. november 2007. In 2008 – the exhibition Paar sammukest rändamise teed (A Couple of Steps on the Road of Travel) at the Museum of Hiiu County. The exhibition was dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia."Enn Kunila maalikogu näitus lõi publikurekordi" Õhtuleht, 3. märts 2010. In 2010 – the exhibition Kölerist Subbini. 150 aastat eesti klassikalist maalikunsti Enn Kunila kogust (From Köler to Subbi. 150 Years of Estonian Classical Paintings from the Collection of Enn Kunila) at the Tallinn Art Hall, where 85 paintings from 34 artists were on display."Enn Kunila: kunst on Eestile hea visiitkaart" Eesti Päevaleht, 23. veebruar 2010.
During the exhibition, Kunila also started an educational program, offering tours led by art scholar free of charge. He also gave the book Estonian Classical Painting from Enn Kunila’s Collection to all Estonian school libraries as a gift. In 2010 – the exhibition Valik moodsa kunsti klassikat Enn Kunila kollektsioonist (A Selection of Modern Art Classics from the Collection of Enn Kunila) at Kärdla Cultural Centre, Hiiu County."Moodsa kunsti klassikuid saab nautida Kärdlas" Hiiu Leht, 5. märts 2010. In 2010 – the exhibition Meri, rand ja Saaremaa Enn Kunila kollektsioonis (The Sea, the Shore, and Saaremaa in the Collection of Enn Kunila) at Kuressaare Town Hall Gallery."Kõige suurem mägi Eestis ei ole Suur Munamägi, vaid kunstnik Konrad Mägi…" Saarte Hääl, 16. juuni 2010. In 2010 – the most elaborated survey exhibition of Estonian art exhibited abroad, Viron värit – 150 vuotta virolaista maalaustaidetta Enn Kunilan kokoelmasta (Estonian Colours – 150 Years of the Art of Classical Estonian Painting from the Collection of Enn Kunila) at Kunsthalle Helsinki."Läbimurre: Enn Kunila saadab oma maalikogu Soome näitusele" Eesti Päevaleht, 31. august 2010.
There were 111 artworks by 44 painters on display at the exhibition in Kunsthalle Helsinki."Viron maalaustaide esittäytyy laajasti Helsingissä" Savon Sanomat, 15. lokakuu 2010. November 2010–February 2011 – the exhibition Valik graafikat ja joonistusi Enn Kunila kollektsioonist (A Selection of Graphic Art and Drawings from the Collection of Enn Kunila) at the Museum of Hiiu County."Pika Maja saalis on väljas valik graafikat ja joonistusi Enn Kunila kogust" Hiiu Nädal, 19. november 2010. In 2013 – the exhibition Ühe keti neli lüli. Laikmaa, Mägi, Vabbe, Kits (Four Links of One Chain. Laikmaa, Mägi, Vabbe, Kits) at the Museum of Hiiu County.
The exhibited artists were pioneers of the traditions of Estonian painting. The artists displayed are the four links of one chain which is the history of Estonian art, particularly the painting tradition based on colour-concentration and the impression of nature."Kärdlas näeb Eesti klassikalise maalikunsti paremikku" ERR Menu, 20. juuni 2013. In 2013 – the exhibition Ühe keti neli lüli 2. Roode, Subbi, Põldroos, Pääsuke (Four Links of One Chain 2. Roode, Subbi, Põldroos, Pääsuke) at the Museum of Hiiu County."Hiiumaal avatakse Olev Subbi mälestusele pühendatud näitus" Eestielu, 12.september 2013. In 2013 – the exhibition Nordic Colours. Estonian Art 1910–1945 from Enn Kunila´s Collection at the European Parliament, Brussels. In 2014 – the exhibition Kuldaja värvid. Eesti klassikaline maalikunst Enn Kunila kollektsioonist (Colours of the Golden Age. Classical Estonian Painting from Enn Kunila's Collection) at Mikkel Museum"Colours of the Golden Age. Classical Estonian Painting from Enn Kunila's Collection" Mikkel museum
For the first time in Estonia, an interactive multimedia programme Journey in the Golden Age was available to visitors. It utilised tablet computers that visitors could borrow from the museum. The exhibition was accompanied by a catalogue compiled by the curator Eero Epner, as well as a story and colouring book called Fish Net and Milk Can. In 2015 – the exhibition I Colori del nord. L'arte estone tra il 1910 ed il 1945 dalla collezione di Enn Kunila (Nordic Colours. Estonian Art 1910–1945 from Enn Kunila´s Collection) at Vittoriano Museum Il Vittoriano in Rome. In 2015 – the exhibition Värvide sümfoonia. Eesti klassikaline maalikunst Enn Kunila kollektsioonist (Symphony of Colours. Classical Estonian Painting from Enn Kunila’s Collection) at Kuressaare Castle in Saaremaa.
7 March 2015 marked the passing of 85 years since the birth of the painter Olev Subbi. The anniversary of his birth was commemorated with two exhibitions: 7–15 March 2015 – Abstract Art by Olev Subbi. This exhibition was held at the Vabaduse [Freedom] Gallery in Tallinn, where nine Olev Subbi paintings from five private collections were on display.