He has a degree in art history from the University of Tartu (BA and MA) and works currently as the chairman of the Tartu Artists’ Union.
Talvistu has curated group exhibitions in the Tallinn Art House, Tartu Art Museum, Tartu Art House, Valga Museum and Titanikas Gallery in Vilnius. He has curated solo or duo exhibitions of Estonian artists like Eike Eplik, Albert Gulk, Elmar Kits, Eva Mustonen, Marko Mäetamm, Laura Põld, Imat Suumann and Diana Tamane. He is the author and compiler of a dozen books on Estonian art and artists and has edited or translated over forty such publications. Talvistu’s upcoming projects include Diana Tamane’s overview exhibition in the Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia and a group exhibition focused on Kristi Kongi in the Tartu Art House.