Opening speech by

H E Dr Margus Laidre

Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia

Let me start with two introductory remarks. When PJ Crook decided to invite me to participate in the opening of this exhibition of hers and Robert Fripp she wasn't perhaps fully aware about the possible risks and even danger which might emerge. Here I keep in mind that diplomats in general and ambassadors in particular like to do one thing ­ they LOVE to talk! But alas, now it's already too late as we have crossed the point of no return.

My second remark concerns the widespread understanding that diplomacy and politics are often regarded as two sides of the same coin. This is not entirely wrong but I can assure you that tonight there will be no hidden political message because I subscribe what George Orwell wrote already half a century ago stating that: "Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind".

After reading last weeks "The Observer" one may easily wonder if the art world is different? One somehow controversial British pop artist said that: "The art world is really exactly the same as the sex industry. You have to be completely on guard, you will get shafted, fucked over left, right and centre. And you will also meet charming wonderful people like a rainbow at the end of the day" (Stella Vine). Call it the end of the day if you wish but one thing is certain ­ tonight here in Gloucester there are only charming, wonderful and extraordinary people around us!

At this stage some of you might have wondered what is the connection between PJ Crook and this small country on the verge of the known world called Estonia? The truth is that our acquaintance started some five years ago with the help of Robert Fripp, although he was not then and perhaps isn't even now aware of that. Being a keen enthusiast and follower of Mr. Fripp's musical comings and goings for more than 25 years I noticed that he started to use paintings of one very special artist as artwork for King Crimson albums. This artist was PJ Crook and I fell almost immediately in love with her paintings. One particular work of hers talked to me to a degree that when it disappeared from her website I sent an e-mail and asked it to be put back. This was a small painting about Angel and Tiger. Tonight I'm very glad that Angel and Tiger are making their second coming although in different shape and form under the title "Paradise regained".

PJ Crook and Robert Fripp are two most talented, exceptionally gifted, unusually honest and sometimes even misunderstood artists of a world class. Definitely at the top of the best Britain can offer today. They have something very special in common. Even as grown ups they dare to open up the most sensitive parts of their heart soul. This uncompromised honesty makes them both very vulnerable in front of the too often, too cruel and too greedy world around us. Both PJ and Robert have preserved the ability of breaking the frames as their artistry is continuously seeking new ways how to express themselves. We all have this ability of thinking freely as children but as adults most of us are loosing it. PJ and Robert are exception. I admire the courage of PJ, as she isn't afraid to paint ON the frames. Having experienced the totalitarian regime myself I would say that this is the most dangerous and at the same time the most challenging one could do ­ testing the limits.

So Paradise, Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained. I believe that when we are entering into this earthly world we are actually coming from Paradise not knowing it ourselves because Mothers womb is the most safe, protective and secure place one can imagine. It is a paradise. As we start to grow up and discover the "big, bright and colorful" world around us we are losing this feeling of safety. We are losing the Paradise and we start to look after it by our own. What we find is best to be described with the words of the American poet Robert Creeley:

What's heart to say

as days pass,

what's a mind to know

after all?

What's it mean to be wise

or right,

if time's still

insistent master?

But if you doubt the track,

still don't look back.

Let the love you bring

find its fellow.

Girl to young woman, wold's well begun.

All comes true

Just for you.

Trust heart's faith

wherever it goes.

It still knows

you follow.

The heart's faith has brought us tonight to Gloucester City Art Gallery to regain our belief in Paradise and to get possible answers to questions that might arise. Is Paradise At The End Of Time or does the Time Stand Still in Paradise to borrow the titles of soundscapes of Robert Fripp? If we look at the painting "The Garden" we can see joy and happiness and peaceful coexistence to use the contemporary language. But please notice that on the frame, somehow hidden there is a black panther lurking behind all others as a source of possible threat and leaving us with the feeling of uneasiness. So is Paradise the safest place after all? Let us open our heart and soul in enjoying the powerful combination of paradise paintings of PJ Crook and heavenly soundscapes, the sacral music for the 21st century of Robert Fripp. When standing in front of painting "The Ascent" then this is the way I hope to be met by the angels and to be carried away into the eternity when the time comes and of course in case I'll deserve it.

Three years ago, still in Estonia, I started to dream about having PJ's exhibition in my country accompanied by Robert's soundscapes. I knew that this was mission impossible. What I didn't know was that surprisingly tonight in another country and in another town this dream comes true!

Margus Laidre

Gloucester 2006 05 05