It's A Boy | Sigalit Landau
Sigalit Landau is a visionary artist renowned for her evocative and multidisciplinary approach to art, exploring themes of identity, memory, and the human condition. Born in Jerusalem in 1969, Landau's upbringing in Israel has deeply influenced her artistic sensibilities and thematic explorations. Landau's art technique is characterized by its interdisciplinary nature, seamlessly blending elements of sculpture, installation, performance, and video. One of her most iconic techniques involves the transformation of everyday objects and materials through unconventional processes, such as submerging them in the Dead Sea's hypersaline waters, a practice she has become widely known for. Through her unique process of submersion, Landau's artworks undergo a metamorphosis, encrusted with crystalline salt formations that symbolize the passage of time, transformation, and the enduring connection between land and culture. Landau's works have been exhibited in prestigious galleries and institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Venice Biennale.
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One Of A Kind | Miriam Cabessa
Miriam Cabessa is an artist who lives and works in Tel Aviv and New York, winner of the Ministry of Culture’s Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022. In 1997 Cabessa represented Israel at the Venice Biennale. She is the first winner of the Gutsdiener Award and presented a solo exhibition at the Tel Aviv Museum. She exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Israel and around the world. Cabessa is in the collections of the Israel Museum, the Tel Aviv Museum, the Haifa Museum, the British Museum in London, the National Museum of Women in the Arts - Washington, the University Museum in Washington, the National Museum of Texas and many other collections. Two of her works are currently on display in the new exhibition of the Tel Aviv Museum’s permanent collection: “Material Imagination: Israeli Art from the Museum’s Collection”. In 2017, after an international career and twenty years of extensive and successful activity in New York, Cabessa opened a studio in Israel and now she works and creates in Tel Aviv as well. Miriam’s works take place at the meeting of the volcanic eruption of emotion with her absolute control over the material. Her masterful skill with the tools of painting, her body or her work tools (never with brushes) in front of the wild release of her passions and desires are, also, relationships that she allows us to be present to, like voyeurs, and discover a little about us through them.
Lion Of Judah | Bar Ben Vakil
Bar Ben Vakil was born in 1989 in a small town in Israel, by the age of 23, Bar was part of 5 exhibitions, including 2 solo exhibitions and she participated prestigiously at the “Salon d’Ottoman” in Paris. At the age of 24, she immigrated to the USA and is now making a name for herself in Brooklyn, New York, where she currently resides. Bar is currently focusing on painting in her third solo exhibition while selling worldwide through social media as well as participating in art fairs around the world. About the piece: "What does the piece symbolize for me and its connection to October 7: The events of October 7, created such a strong upheaval in me that my mind could not believe it. The works I created while in shock and with trembling hands - I dedicate to all the strong and broken hearts among us. Israel is my soul, the most special land in the world. Israel is home, mother and father, my umbilical cord always and forever I put a spirit of hope and tremendous strength into every job I did, because that’s how I see us, the Jewish people, and that’s the stuff we’re made of. Always walking forward with the head held high, endless determination and unity that sets this nation apart from anywhere else in the entire world. Our contribution as artists is to express the feelings and pain in us, in order to spread light, influence and truth. The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate, help and accompany Israel Defense Forces fighters who were affected by the events of October 7th."
Chai - Only Stronger | Bar Ben Vakil
Bar Ben Vakil was born in 1989 in a small town in Israel, by the age of 23, Bar was part of 5 exhibitions, including 2 solo exhibitions and she participated prestigiously at the “Salon d’Ottoman” in Paris. At the age of 24, she immigrated to the USA and is now making a name for herself in Brooklyn, New York, where she currently resides. Bar is currently focusing on painting in her third solo exhibition while selling worldwide through social media as well as participating in art fairs around the world. About the piece: "The second helmet I created for the project came from a different place than the first helmet I painted. The first helmet was made right after October 7th, and terror and shock greatly influenced my approach. Since then, I have chosen an approach of only getting stronger - no matter how many times I am turned over, I will continue to fight for the light. No matter how dark it is now. After October 7th, I somewhat forgot that this is who I am, and for a moment, I cried my heart out. I am commemorating this helmet with a great light, with strength, with color - exactly like the ideology this nation fights for. To be a free people. Freedom is color, Color is life, Life is “Chai”, “Chai” is all of us, The people of Israel live. (Special thanks to Shai-Lee Schindler, my soul friend, who sculpted the “Chai” brilliantly, wittily, and humbly.)"
A Soldier & A Rooster | Zoya Cherkassky
Zoya Cherkassky is a contemporary artist renowned for her captivating and thought-provoking paintings that offer a unique perspective on the human condition. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1976, Cherkassky's upbringing in the former Soviet Union profoundly influenced her artistic sensibilities and worldview. Cherkassky's artistic journey began at the Kiev Art Institute, where she honed her skills and developed her distinct style. One of the hallmarks of Cherkassky's work is her bold use of color and texture. Cherkassky's art has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, including the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the Jewish Museum in New York City, and the Saatchi Gallery in London. About the piece: “In Chagall's painting the rooster always symbolizes fire, emergency, disaster. I've used the rooster as a symbol but have replaced the traditional Chagall's "Shtetl Jew" with the image of a new Hebrew, contemporary Jew - an IDF soldier.”
Protected From All Harm | Uzi Amrani
Uzi’s works touch on post trauma and its processing following his military service in southern Lebanon in 1997-8. On the eve of Memorial Day 2020, he put on a virtual solo exhibition, “Druch”, in accordance with the period when we were all closed in our homes. Uzi has been creating for many years. A graduate of costume design studies at the Rakefet Levy School of Performing Arts Design and about a decade of experience as a costume designer in the world of theater and dance. In 2013, he won the award of the Israeli Academy of Cinema and Television for the costume design of the series “Shtisel”. About the piece: “A military helmet, wrapped in old tallits, some of which have chapters of the Psalms printed on them, with a cube that symbolizes a head tefillin. The helmet tells about the security of the Israeli soldier on the battlefield. The security of the IDF’s military strength, with the best soldiers there are, and with it the spiritual protection. The prayers of all generations and the faith that God is with us until victory. As it is written in Sefer Dvarim: "כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּכֶם לְהִלָּחֵם לָכֶם עִם אֹיְבֵיכֶם לְהוֹשִׁיעַ אֶתְכֶם."
07.10 | Tzvika Lachman
Zvi Lachman, graduated from the Technion in Architecture and has a master's degree in art at Parsons School in New York, and continued studies at Studio School, New York. Since 1985 he lives and works in Tel Aviv. Exhibited in museums and galleries in Israel and in the world. His comprehensive exhibition ״פנים לפנים״ was recently presented at the Ein Harod Art Shelter (2023-2024). And these days, his work "זמן ש" is displayed in the exhibition "October 7", at the Eno Museum of Jewish Art. His work places at the center the observation of man's humanity on its many faces and is distinguished by his compositions between traditions of the ancient world (East and West), Jewish-Israeli mortality and questions and a lively and original dialogue with Rembrandt, Cezanne and Giacometti. Lachman developed a unique technique of working with wax and transferring it to prose. His work on the material combines the virtues of classical sculpture and industrial reproduction and recycling technology. About the piece: “A human living was not meant to live inside such a shelter. In ‘making’ the helmet, one wishes to rescue the human, but at the same time you risk turning it into a thing. What does it cost to accommodate oneself to this pitiless house? Someone is there, and the next moment no one. For me, to encounter the helmet is an act of human resistance: a memory, a kind of amulet, a prayer.”
Heroes | Koketit (Shira Barzilai )
Shira Barzilai, who works under the name "koketit", is an artist who deals mainly with digital art. She is internationally recognized with companies such as Zara, Kritia, H&M and Roberto Cavalli who have created many collaborations with her. Today, her works are sold all over the world as original works, prints and NFTs. Her style of work, to become identified with her, is an act of creating intuitive sketches of female figures in one line drawing, which she does on realistic landscape photos. "Picasso said that all children are artists. Remaining an artist even when growing up is the real challenge and I aspire to draw freely like a girl. Associates are only a small part of my work. My essence is to make art. Things that my art also attracts commercial parties is not the main thing; The thing that moves me the most is that my art touches people.” About the piece: “October 7th marked a somber chapter in Israel's history, yet it also gave rise to a multitude of heroes. Among them were soldiers, civilians, men, and women who bravely confronted adversity and stood unwavering against evil and fear. Bound together by destiny, those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who persevered will forever be remembered and held dear in our hearts. With deep admiration and gratitude, I dedicate this helmet to the embodiment of heroism, a source of immense pride for me as an Israeli.”
Air | Eran Reshef
Eran Reshef was born in 1964 in Israel. In the beginning of his artistic path, Reshef enrolled at Avni Institute of Painting and Sculpture, Tel Aviv. Then, he decided to move to NYC in 1989 and studied at the Parsons School of Design, New York. In New York, Reshef earned his Undergraduate degree at Brooklyn College under Lennart Anderson and won the Edward Shaw Memorial Award for Painting, CUNY both in 1992 and in 1994. Later, he won the Julius Hallgarten Prize, National Academy of Design Museum, with many to follow such as the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant in 2003 and the The Haim Shiff Prize for Figurative Realistic painting, Tel Aviv Museum of Art in 2010. He also received his B.F.A and M.F.A at Brooklyn college under Lennart Anderson. Reshef’s works were exhibited in many group shows in the United States and Israel, as well as in a few solo shows, one of which in Tel Aviv Museum.
Tefilin Shel Rosh | Yoram Ranan
Yoram Ranan, graduated from the University of Arts, Philadelphia (BFA 1975). He traveled and studied independently throughout Europe and the Near East. In 1976 he settled in Israel and opening his first studio in the Bukharim Quarter in Jerusalem. Since 1994, he has been creating art on his farm in the Judean hills of the Jerusalem Corridor. He is married and has 4 children and grandchildren. Raanan's paintings are a modern expression of Jewish collective consciousness. Characterized by intuition and imagination, there is a strong sense of light, color and spirituality. He is inspired by the Bible, nature and the Land of Israel. "The sensation of creating is a dynamic and exciting process, and it feels especially good because I can share it with others. They can see what I have done and enjoy a vicarious experience." Ranan has held solo exhibitions in many galleries around Israel and the US. About the piece: “The army helmet was painted black as are the tefillin that we bind to our bodies. the 3 and 4 legged shin is painted with a white, iridescent pearl. The inspiration for this reflects the idea that at present, the sefer torah we have had for thousands of years until today, is black ink on white parchment and considered as black fire written on white fire. On top of the helmet painted is the kipat shamayim, the dome of heaven, symbolising our divine protection. The 3 thin blue lines running from front to back inform us of the four sections (related to the 4 legged shin) that make up the tefillin shel rosh, and form a 3 legged shin of their own. The extra Shin is there to symbolize the hidden Torah from the surrounding letters, perhaps to remind us we only have access to part of the Torah.”
Magen David | Yoram Ranan
About the piece: “Ancient jewish protection. painted with iridescent gold and interference colors. multitudes of stars symbolising the quantity of the jewish people numerous as the stars as heaven promised by God to abraham. King David had the Menorah emblazoned on his shield (with the words of Psalm 67), and this was the famous magen David, “shield of David”. This arrangement of seven (or more specifically, of three-three-one) is found within the Menorah, too, that most ancient of Jewish symbols. For this reason, some argue that the opinion of the Shield of David having the Menorah and the opinion of it having the hexagram are really one and the same. They both reflect a divine geometry of 3-3-1. The sefirot are arranged in the same 3-3-1 manner, and corresponding to them are the seven shepherds of Israel: Chessed, Gevurah, and Tiferet parallel the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Netzach, Hod, Yesod parallel the next three great leaders of Moses, Aaron, and Joseph; and Malkhut (“Kingdom”) naturally stands for David. David is at the centre of the star, so it is fitting that the star is named after him. Mashiach’s role is to reunite all of the Jews in Israel, and to restore the original Twelve Tribes. The twelve vertices of the hexagram are said to refer to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, all reunited as one. Meanwhile, the land of Israel itself is often described in sevens: the seven Canaanite nations, and the seven shepherds to whom it was promised; the “seven species” through which the land is praised, and the seventy names that the land is known by (see Midrash HaGadol on Genesis 46:8). It is therefore most appropriate that the Zionist movement which sought to restore the Jews to their ancestral land chose the hexagram as its symbol.”
Guns and Roses | Vered Rosen
Vered is Married to Barak and they have have 3 children. Graduated from architecture studies at La Spezia University in Rome and Tel Aviv University. Upon completion, received a BA degree in architecture. worked in several architectural offices and designed several projects by herself. Vered owns a gallery on Railway Street for 7 years. In it she presents her art works that includ photos combined with lighting, mainly glass neons. “In my art I try to convey optimism and reveal beautiful elements and landscapes that I encounter.” Vered’s art works have been exhibited in several exhibitions in Israel, among them also donations for the community. About the piece: “I called the helmet ‘Guns and Roses’. The helmet is dedicated to all women. To the brave soldiers who participated in the war. To the female ‘תצפיתניות’ who spotted everything first and did not receive a response. To the female tankers who entered the settlements and rescued residents, bravely fought the terrorists They are the roses that are stuck on the helmet. A tribute to the female sex and a memory to female warriors.“
Flashback | AME 72
James Ame (also known as Ame72) is a street artist known for his distinctive Lego-themed artwork. Ame uses these mass produced molded smiling toy figures as a means to transmit messages, aimed towards society’s characteristics: economic abundance, consumerism and commercialization. Ame’s work has been exhibited and recognised internationally, blending pop culture elements with urban aesthetics. “At the young age of 5, our family TV died and my Father decided there and then, no more TV set, hence, my early childhood was spent playing with LEGO, not watching TV”. About the piece: “Helmet represents the complexity of emotions, psychological and traumatic impact soldiers have experienced and continue to live through, to defend Israel’s right to exist with key dates in Israel’s history marked all around the helmet”
Polychromatic | AME 72
James Ame (also known as Ame72) is a street artist known for his distinctive Lego-themed artwork. Ame uses these mass-produced molded smiling toy figures as a means to transmit messages, aimed towards society’s characteristics: economic abundance, consumerism and commercialisation. Ame’s work has been exhibited and recognised internationally, blending pop culture elements with urban aesthetics. “At the young age of 5, our family TV died and my Father decided there and then, no more TV set, hence, my early childhood was spent playing with LEGO, not watching TV”. About the piece: “Helmet represents the complexity of emotions, psychological and traumatic impact soldiers have experienced and continue to live through, to defend Israel’s right to exist”
וכיתתו חרבותם לאיתים וחניתותיהם למיזמרות | Bazooka Joe
Bazooka Joe has left an indelible mark on the art world with his bold and colorful creations that blur the lines between street art, comic book illustration, and fine art. Bazooka Joe's art technique is characterized by its playful aesthetic and meticulous attention to detail. Drawing inspiration from his urban surroundings and a lifelong love of comics and cartoons, Bazooka Joe's works can be found in galleries and exhibitions around the world, as well as in private collections. He has collaborated with brands such as Topps, Disney, and Nickelodeon, and his art has been featured in numerous publications and media outlets.
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Redemption | Amit Weinberger
Amit is a 31 years old up and coming artist from Israel. “I have always felt a strong desire to create and make a difference in the world. I believe that art can change reality and a person's perspective. And that everyone should strive to leave the world a little better than they found it. Through art, I try to achieve this goal. After all, life is short and we should all strive to make the most of it in one way or another.” About the piece: “The truth is that I took the inspiration for the helmet from my people, the Jewish people who that since the dawn of history we should always remain strong and optimistic and remember that the light always overcomes the darkness. Good always wins over evil, and we will never give up on life. and I'm here to remind you that the best is yet to come. Always believe, God is with you.”
Aleph | Ilana Krasnik
Self taught Danish artist living London. Now selling to collectors all over the world. she paints on newspaper in order to change the written word as much as possible - and also a great way to recycle. she won Best selling Artist award for best selling artist at Raanana shows 2015 About the piece: “Within Aleph it has it all and from its shape can make all letters. Within the helmet design it has representation of Earth, Air ,water and fire. Alongside this there is wisdom which is needed at this moment in time and a reminder of the famous Talmud quote ‘in the midst of the darkest night, pretend as if morning has already arrived’. “
War And Hope | Itzhak Tordjamn
Itzhak Tordjman, born in Casablanca, immigrated to Israel at the age of six. A graduate of the Beaux-Arts School of Fine Arts in Paris, he taught art at the Paris Academy. He paints subjects from his childhood in oil and mixed techniques. He presented his works in solo and group exhibitions in Paris and North America. Many of his works were included in various art books in Israel and around the world. In the education field, he has developed, written and illustrated a method for Hebrew reading “Shapes Colors & Sounds”, which results from his art as well. About the piece: “War & Hope – On the day of Simchat Torah, all the laws of war and morality were broken in an unimaginable way. We were exposed to cries of suffering, death, blood, fire and pillars of smoke. All that remains is to cling to the thoughts of hope. Without hope there is no cure, without hope there is no life.”
Avatiach | Leon Weinreb
Leon Weinreb lives and works in Tel Aviv, painting signature local subjects with a classical oil technique. From fleeting parking spaces to the shouty ice cream guy on the beach, the body of his work evokes a time, place, light and spirit that is uniquely and specifically Tel Avivian. Self taught, his pieces have been exhibited across galleries in Tel Aviv, and collected from LA, London and beyond. About the piece: “To be Israeli is to face complex challenges. Security, water, posting a letter –problems are the natural condition of life in Israel. And yet Israelis emerge as the ultimate optimists, with the hunger, confidence and ability to push forward, explore, overcome and just enjoy. It's about simple joy as the heroic antidote to complex problems. The watermelon and the helmet."
Clementine Tree | Asaf Hanuka
During his mandatory army service he began collaborating with Israeli writer Etgar Keret. In 1997 a collection of Etgar's stories illustrated by Asaf was publish under the title "Streets of Rage". Their second collaboration "Pizzeria Kamikaze" was nominated for Eisner awards in 2007 and translated to English, French and Spanish. Together with his twin brother Tomer, he co-created Bipolar, an experimental comic book series which was nominated for the Ignatz awards. Tomer and Asaf have created together “The Dirties”, a short narrative available on line. They currently collaborate on a graphic fiction called The Divine, written by Boaz Lavie, released in 2015 in both English and French. Asaf also contributed art for the Oscar-nominated war documentary animation film Waltz with Bashir. His autobiographical comics The Realist started in January 2010, published in Calcalist (Israeli business magazine). It won a Gold medal from the Society of Illustrators in 2010, an Award of Excellence from Communication Arts Annual, and a silver medal from 3X3. Two collections of The Realist pages were published in book form in France in 2012 and 2014, and have been translated into six languages. About the piece: Israel was built on a dream of farmers and ideologists. After an incredibly difficult period for Israeli society I hope we will be able to dream again, generation after generation, of growth and peace.
Dancing With My Friend | Sammy Kattan
Sammy Kattan (1977) is a Tel Aviv based artist originally from London. Sammy favours experimenting with new techniques although most of his work is in the digital or mixed media field, drawing inspiration from the Pop Art and Street art movements. His work often attempts to shine a light on the unsung and overlooked heroes of our universe. He has exhibited at several galleries in Tel aviv and enjoys a solid collector base. About the piece: “The helmet considers the theme of repetitive, cyclical yet chaotic conflict and how the two characters after dancing so long have almost attained the familiarity of old friends, a friendship that is built entirely of hate.”
The People’s Army | Michelle Levy
Michelle Levy is a British-Israeli artist known for her vibrant and colorful Judaic and Israel-themed art. Born in the UK, Michelle is married with four children, and lives in in Raanana, Israel. Raised in a passionately creative family, Michelle was encouraged to pursue her artistic passions from an early age, continuing her creative path throughout her academic years. With a very strong Jewish identity, love for Israel, and a positive outlook on life, together with her background in art and design, photography, typography, colour and composition, Michelle combines all her passions into her Judaic and Israel themed artworks, and the results are full of love, life, and colour. Her art is on display in galleries in Jerusalem and Tsfat. These cities, with their unique blend of ancient tradition and modern creativity, serve as the perfect backdrop for Michelle's work. Michelle work has also been exhibited in London, Barcelona and New York. Michelle's aim is to bring her deeply rooted history and heritage to life, connecting the past to the present, and using bold and vibrant colours and patterns to do so. About the piece: “Beyond the sirens of October the 7th, seeing my neighbours putting on their uniform and heading out to war, was the realization that the soldiers defending and protecting us are our very own , they are our brothers, sisters, co-workers, electricians, plumbers, teachers, friends and neighbours, a true people’s army. This helmet, is more than military equipment; it is a symbol of a nation's soul, painted with the colors of unity, love, and commitment to our country and one another. This artwork is a tribute to our soldiers, our heroes, who's selflessness and bravery goes far beyond anything imaginable. It is also a reminder that the strength of Israel does not rest on military might alone, but on the collective hearts and unwavering love of its people.”
Any Color You Want | Orit Fuchs
Orit Fuchs, (1970) Tel Aviv based artist who embodies the essence of artistic self expression such as sculptures, painting, typography, illustration, knitting, video, photography, and more. At the heart of Fuchs’ art is the female image and the various forms it can take in modern times society. Her work has been exhibited in a variety of exhibitions around the world, including the United States, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Canada. About the piece: “The creation of the helmet stemmed from a deeply personal struggle with its initial form. Its rough and unwelcoming surface posed a challenge, deterring any inclination to paint upon it. However, through perseverance, I transformed its harsh exterior into a smooth canvas ripe for artistic expression. Opting for a vibrant and glossy exterior, I aimed to evoke a sense of dramatic allure. Yet, within this polished exterior lies a stark contrast. The interior remains untouched, maintaining its rugged texture. This deliberate choice symbolizes the dichotomy between outer appearance and inner turmoil. While the exterior gleams with vibrancy, the interior harbors the scars of battle-pain, trauma, and hardship. These internal struggles, concealed from view, stand in stark contrast to the radiant facade, emphasizing the disparity between perception and reality. In essence, the helmet serves as a visual representation of the complexities inherent within the human experience. It invites viewers to contemplate the contrast between surface appearances and hidden truths, urging them to acknowledge the depth beneath the shimmering exterior.”
5 Star General In The Army Of Love | Gadi Altman
Gadi Altman is a multi-talented individual who has made significant contributions in the fields of art, jewelry design, and spiritual Kabbalah research. Through his creative expressions and spiritual exploration, Altman has crafted a unique path that merges artistic beauty with the profound wisdom of Kabbalah. Drawing inspiration from the deep mystical teachings of Kabbalah, Altman infuses his pieces with profound meaning, creating wearable works of art that resonate with the wearer on a spiritual level. With his artistic talent and research endeavors, Altman not only creates visually stunning pieces of jewelry and art but also invites individuals to embrace deeper spiritual connections. Through his work, Altman bridges the gap between art and spirituality, leaving a lasting impact on those who engage with his creations and delve into the wisdom of Kabbalah. About the piece: "The helmet Altman designed contemplates a theme as complex as war, peace, and love, trying to think and remember to provide a creative and personal response with personal interpretations. The subject establishes interesting connections between art, the Kabbalah, materials of space, and modern jewelry. The reflective style offers the viewer an opportunity to express their opinions and feelings towards the subject and engage in a deep personal dialogue. What begins as a fusion of military and aggressive industrial materials in Gadi Altman’s work transforms into exquisite jewelry with examples of materials representing fascinating and original spiritual and life innovations."
Time In A Battle | Maya Gold
Maya Gold (born in 1978) is an Israeli artist, a lecturer in the art department at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. Her works have been shown in solo exhibitions in Israel and around the world and are included in private collections and museums. Gold is a Gutsdiener Award nominee (2007), won several awards and scholarships such as the Ministry of Education’s Young Artist Award (2014) and participated in artist residency programs in Berlin (2013) and San Francisco (2016). In 2012, Maya Gold collaborated with the singer Shlomo Artzi in the production of the ‘Osher Express’ album. Gold designed the album cover and the paintings of the booklet attached to the album (oil on canvas) over several months, inspired by the album’s songs and the shared dialogue with my country. About the piece: “I drew the helmet while listening to the events of the war. Moments of warrior brotherhood are described there, it is possible to identify communities / political events and even specific characters such as Shiri Bibas and her sons.”
Out of Chaos Grows Hope | Nirit Levav Packer
Nirit Levav Packer, a multidisciplinary artist, primarily creates from materials intended for disposal. She began her journey studying fashion design at the “Parsons School of Design” and initially developed a career as a clothing designer. “I was raised with the values of ‘waste not, want not,’ and learned to appreciate the journey a material takes from the earth’s womb to becoming some object, understanding the amount of energy invested in making it useful. I collect materials that catch my eye, such as bicycle parts, engines, watches, keys, screws, etc. I engage in an imaginary internal dialogue with them and create sculptures and wall art from them. I hope my art will serve as a spotlight on the need to preserve the Earth’s resources and use them wisely and cooperatively so that humanity can continue to develop. Our fate as human beings is one, and therefore there is no point in focusing on our differences, competition, wars, and struggles. We must join hands as humanity to face the challenges of the climate crisis and act together for the benefit of Mother Earth. About the piece: “Every bolt in the helmet symbolizes one of us, Israelis and Jews, who were physically, mentally, and spiritually affected by the October 7th attack, experiencing ongoing national trauma since that day. Numerous bolts create one large human fabric: the entire Jewish people are experiencing fear and persecution. Chaos is rampant, and we all are dealing with pain, stress, uncertainty, and lack of control. The skies are covered with heavy clouds. Like a bird, the Phoenix that emerges and rises from nowhere to the unbounded sky and limitless horizon. I believe that out of chaos, we as a people have an opportunity to awaken and cooperate, and from this, create a great light, an example for all humanity, which is approaching similar chaos from terror and wars over control and resources, threatening the future of the Earth."
"The Protector" | Raquel Sanchez
Sanchez was born in Paris France and grew up in New York, Ibiza, Morroco, London and Venezuela. She moved to Israel in 2013 and lives and works in Jerusalem. Raquel Sanchez creates within the levels of Nature some real and some surreal. Her work emits a sense, a feeling, a moment in time. It may be the moment capturing the momentum of landscape, of waterscape, or even the binding of the observer into a reliable frame of a moment. In the words of Picasso, “Ideas are simply starting points.” (from Brassaï “Conversations with Picasso”). Sanchez’s art captures spaces in spaces of time. It maintains a connection with archetypal moments and poetic renditions within and about landscapes. It is a “dance of moments” through the use of reflection and light, it is the previously seen and the not yet seen. About the piece: “Magen Avot is a prayer from the evening service on shabbat night that speaks of attributes of G-d, among which He is the “Protector”. A soldier wears a helmet for protection, but the true protection comes for Hashem through our Prayer, Torah and Mitzvahs. However, one needs to look deeply to see and to understand. Raquel depicts this through her imagery of people praying, impressions of people learning. The blue circle symbolizes the perfection of Creation of the world, complete with the performance of the Mitzvahs. The deeper one searches, the more one will discover."
The Butterfly Effect | David Gerstein
1944 Born in Jerusalem. 1965 - 1966: Studied at the Bezalel Academy, Jerusalem. 1966 - 1968: Studied at the Ecole Supérieure des Beaux Arts, Paris. 1968 - 1970: Studied at the Arts Students League, New York. 1973 - 1974: Post graduate studies at St. Martin’s School of Art, London. 1971 - 1985: Senior Lecturer at the Bezalel Academy, Jerusalem. The magic takes place in The Studio where 4 floors are filled with creativity; ideas come to life; and prototypes are created and assessed. Through several stages of machining & hand craftwork, the imagination & ideas take a final physical form. About the piece: “In many cultures, butterflies symbolize the wonders of nature, of change, transformation, resilience, freedom and hope. In its metamorphosis from the colorless caterpillar to the exquisite winged creature of delicate beauty, the butterfly has become a metaphor for rebirth; for the triumph of the spirit and the soul over physical endurance; and of our unconscious attraction towards light, recovery and renewal."
Yevarechacha | David Breuer-Weil
David Breuer-Weil was born in London in 1965 and studied at Central Saint Martin’s School of Art under Henry Moore’s assistant Shelley Fausset and at Clare College, Cambridge. Breuer-Weil is famed for his monumental solo shows of vast painted canvases referred to as the Projects. Breuer-Weil has emerged as one of the leading contemporary British sculptors with iconic works such as Brothers and Alien displayed to great public and critical acclaim. These powerful works have been installed in major public spaces in London including Hampstead Heath, Hanover Square, Grosvenor Gardens, Marble Arch and around the world. Visitor, Visitor 2 and Alien were included in Sotheby’s 2010, 2011 and 2013 Beyond Limits exhibitions at Chatsworth House. His sculptures and two dimensional works have been exhibited with the National Trust more recently. In 2016-2017 Breuer-Weil exhibited alongside Edmund de Waal and Hans Coper at the Jewish Museum, London. In June-July 2017 Christie’s held a solo show of monumental Breuer-Weil sculpture that was held at various locations across London; Cavendish Square, St Pancras, Portman Square and the Economist Plaza. In the summer of 2018 a new monumental work, Flight, was installed into Marble Arch and in 2019 Breuer-Weil’s Visitor 2 was exhibited as part of The Child Within Me, at the Abdülmecid Efendi Pavilion, Istanbul, to coincide with the Istanbul Biennial. A film about the artist, The King of Nerac, directed by Annie Sulzberger, premiered in 2015 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London and in New York at the Lincoln Center. Breuer-Weil lives and works in London.
Helmet of Continuity | Raphael Abecassis
Raphael Abecassis was born in Marrakesh, Morocco in 1953. Abecassis studied at the Beersheva College of Education. He received the Award for Independence Day Poster 1987 and the Ministry of Education award for “Psalms of David” illuminated manuscripts 1987. Abecassis is now a world renowned Sephardic Israeli artist whose unique style combines Jewish symbols, Sephardic motifs and modern composition into beautifully calibrated celebrations of color. In 1994, Abecassis designed what is now an artistic landmark in Los Angeles, California – the Sephardic Heritage Windows, a stained glass masterpiece. Abecassis claims his artistic mission is to paint like the old Jewish masters painted hundreds of years ago. He concentrates on biblically inspired art with themes drawn from the Kabbalah – Jewish mysticism. Jewish art continues to engage and attract Abecassis. His art is imbued with deep spiritual meaning and vibrant colorful imagery – seemingly dancing on the canvas. Abecassis brings to life the old technique of Decoupage. His technique transforms a conventional painting into a three dimensional creating by lifting certain layers. Abecassis exhibits extensively in museums and galleries in the US, Canada, Europe and Israel. About the piece: "A joyful painting with a colorful blend of angels ascending upwards, not descending. Angels being led by a ladder to the world of truth. The ladder protects the angels and helps them reach greater spiritual heights. The soldiers fought bravely and with unity and love, without disputes among them. The sky illuminated with the salvation of God in an instant, and we witnessed miracles from the Creator of the world. The vibrant colors against the backdrop of a warrior’s helmet, painted in dark blue, highlighted the joyfulness and brought in a special light."
Helmet of Emuna 2024 | Taryn Treisman
Israeli based artist Taryn Treisman (1984) currently lives in Raanana, she made Aliya from South Africa. She creates custom artwork that’s contemporary and fun that can make a great, attention-grabbing addition to the best of art collections. Her work is positive, playful and inspiring. Taryn is deeply inspired by pop culture and loves color. This is reflected in her modern graffiti style, she curates pieces that are uniquely one of a kind, combining Judaic elements in a modern fun way. Her art can be found worldwide and found in galleries in Cape Town, Florida and Israel. She has also recently collaborated with Israeli Singer Gad Elbaz, combining music with Art as well as collaborating with many other brands. She is also well known for her funky graffiti Challah covers and modern Hamsas. About the piece: "As a nation we have built up Israel with all our heart and soul. It is worth fighting for and protecting. Am Yisrael has experienced a collective pain, this helmet is holding on to hope that one day we will all experience a collective joy along the Beit Hamikdash."
Expectation | Shimon Pinto
Born in 1967; Graduated cum laude from the Department of Visual Arts & Art History, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Has participated in many solo & group exhibitions, his works are displayed in the permanent collections in the Tel Aviv Museum of Art & The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, the Ben Gurion University & other private collections. About the piece: "The Motzei Shabbat following Simchat Torah & Shmini Atzeret caught me with such a sense of helplessness in the face of the horrors I saw through the WhatsApp groups of my kibbutz friends. Those who were murdered were my personal friends and from the same kibbutz I had been adopted as a child. I witnessed the utter chaos in each of the settlements that surround Aza - Sderot, Netivot & other kibbutzim where - and in each of them - I had friends who were like family to me. The citizens & soldiers who ran to help at the Nova Festival reminded me of my uncle - my Mother’s brother - running to his army truck in 1973, when he ran to the Sinai and was killed. The helplessness I felt connected the Yom Kippur War in 1973 to October 2023 and within me, the “expectation” of redemption and a cure for the world was formed."
War And Roses | Ilan Baruch
Ilan Baruch was born in Jerusalem in 1974, the son of a family that immigrated from Bukhare in the thirties of the 20th century and settled in the Geula neighborhood near Mea Shearim. At the age of 14, his father urged him to paint and develop his vocation as an artist. Baruch's occupation is figurative painting. His subjects come to life in a repertoire that deals with place and culture such as the saber bush, the cypress, the landscapes of Jerusalem and the surrounding area as well as the figure of the Arab and the figure of the Jewish settler. Baruch presented wide and comprehensive museum solo exhibitions, including "Conversation with Zabar" Tel Aviv Museum 2004, curated by Aya Luria. ”Sometimes we forget that the wasteland was not a general wasteland" Ramat Gan Museum 2013 curated by Meir Aharonson. About the piece: “Red roses, full of sensuality and life force, give them to her lover, red as blood. Small tight parking lots in the back. An almost unbearable duality but gives meaning to life. And these are painted on a dusty and used helmet that came out of the "service" of an unknown soldier or soldiers, I don't know.”
Desert Lullaby | Natasha Brilliantov
Born 1973 in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Since 1996 freelance artist. Currently lives and works in Tel-Aviv, Israel. About the piece: “It is dedicated to all the women that was killed or kidnapped on October 7th, to all the babies killed and kidnapped, and most of all to all the unborn children who could bring joy to families and lead interesting lives full of discovery, knowledge, creativity and love. The lullabies will never be sung by those murdered women to their babies, those killed and unborn babies will never hear their mothers singing. The name of the work "Desert Lullaby" because only the wind of the Negev Desert can sing these songs to all of them, every night since October 7th.”
Never Again | Ofer Lellouch
Ofer Lellouche is an Israeli painter, sculptor, etcher and video artist. during his service in the Israel Defense Forces, he contracted hepatitis and began to paint while recovering. He began his formal art training at the Avni Institute of Art and Design in Tel Aviv under the abstract lyrical painter Yehezkiel Streichman. In the early 1990s, Lellouche produced more than 600 etchings,illustrated Stéphane Mallarmé's poem, "Un coup de dés jamais n'abolira le hasard", and published the books "Panim" (faces) and "Ein Karem". He also produced large-format paintings, which he called the "Atelier César" . Since the late 1990s, he has been engaged primarily in sculpture and etching.
Untitled | Ronit Baranga
Ronit Baranga (born 1973, Israel) lives and works in Israel. Using both sculpture and installation, Baranga creates figurative art on the border between living and still life, dealing with emotional states and relationships. Her work has been shown in various museums and galleries around the world in solo exhibitions including: Størpunkt Gallery, Munich (2021); Beinart Gallery, Melbourne (2020); Booth Gallery, NYC (2018); The Red House, Tel-Aviv (2017); Raanana Municipal Gallery, Raanana (2017); and in many other group exhibitions: KIRK Gallery, Denmark (2021); Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco (2020); Eretz Israel Museum, Tel-Aviv (2020); Abdül Mecid Efendi Museum, Istanbul (2019); Haifa Museum of Art, Haifa (2019); Akron Museum of Art, Akron, Ohio (2018); Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan (2016), and in the Banksy’s group exhibition “Dismaland” in Weston-super-Mare, UK (2015). Baranga’ work is part of many museum and private collections, such as the The National Museum of Slovenia, Ljubljana, the Great China Museum, Jingdezhen, the Yingge Ceramics Museum, Yingge, Taiwan, the Ömer Koç Collection, Istanbul, and the Hieronymus Collection, Richard and Alita Rogers Family Foundation, USA, Ann and Ari Rosenblatt, and Guy Baram collection.
Rapunzel | Orna Orayon (Otef Aza Artist)
Dr. Orna Orayon is an interdisciplinary visual artist who lives on kibbutz Bror-Hayil, close to the Gaza Strip. She has worked in the field of visual art both as a researcher and as an artist presenting her works in Israel and around the world. Her works include photography, painting and installations. Oryan teaches creative education and contemporary art at the " Hakibutzim Academic College". She has published a number of books: "The blood of your body"- Oryan’s PhD thesis studying women artists which deals with the abject body (Resling, 2013). "Her cup of tea"- Oryan’s postdoctoral work studying shamanism rituals with Ayahuasca in the jungles of Northern Peru (Pardes, 2020)." An internal-external journey: integration of arts in education" (Magnes-Academon, 2023). Oryan has also published two childrens books Tati the Doll (Lavi P. Enterprises, 2014) and Ram and the big Buffalo ( Zameret P. Enterprises, 2020). About the piece: “A helmet is usually associated with a man in the status of a soldier, or a warrior. I dedicated the helmet to the status-less observant warriors who not only did not listen to their "eyes" but abandoned and abandoned them to their deaths. The braid on the helmet was chosen inspired by the character of Rapunzel, from the fairy tale of the Brothers Grimm - Rapunzel who was imprisoned in a high palace by her mother so that she could protect her from any harm. Rapunzel was rescued from her isolation by the prince, on the contrary for the redemption situation that occurred with Rapunzel, the abandoned female observers were captured or murdered.”
I Have Seen Death | Shosh Segev (Otef Aza Artist)
Multidisciplinary artist, born in 1953, Kibbutz Kfar Gaza. Shosh owns a studio and gallery where her works are displayed, she teaches and leads various workshops in painting, paper sculpture and ceramics. Shosh’s artistic language points to her sources of inspiration, which are the artists Jean de Beauvais, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Matisse. About the piece: "On October 7th Shosh and her husband were locked for 36 hours in the safe room “mamad”. With no electricity and water, they had no news of her son and her nine-month pregnant daughter who both survived the massacre. Next to her house the youngsters of the kibbutz were brutally massacred. After 36 hours of hell and “seeing death” Tzahal liberated them and since that day they live in kibbutz Gaash. The Helmet is a synopses of these 36 hours of seeing death."
Home Without A Tortoise | Linor Gefen (Otef Aza Artist)
Linor Gefen is a multidisciplinary artist from Kibbutz Dorot, she has lived in the Otef for a decade. About the piece: "On the first Saturday when we returned home, the children asked us to go to the fields to “walk like we used to”, among the fields of anemones and green grass stood a shell of a cracked, broken and empty turtle. “A House Without a Tortoise” is dedicated to all our beloved friends who on 7.10 their house, which was supposed to be armor for their bodies, was destroyed, and now stands empty and charred like that empty tortoise armor in the field of anemones."