Shimon Maduny Gallery Safed
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{{Infobox | {{Infobox | ||
| − | |title = | + | |title = Reli Wasser Gallery |
| − | |image = [[File:Space holder.jpg|215px|alt= | + | |image = [[File:Space holder.jpg|215px|alt=Reli Wasser Gallery]] |
|header1 = Hebrew: | |header1 = Hebrew: | ||
| − | |data2 = גלריה | + | |data2 = גלריה רלי ווסר |
|header3 = Pronunciation: | |header3 = Pronunciation: | ||
| − | |data4 = | + | |data4 = Re’el-y Vas-ser |
| + | |header5 = Other Names: | ||
| + | |data6 = ReliArt | ||
|header7 = Description: | |header7 = Description: | ||
| − | |data8 = | + | |data8 = Young artist whose experiments and unconventional art is bringing a new look to the Tzfat art scene.}} |
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| − | + | ||
| + | One of [[Safed|Tzfat’s]] most dynamic and innovative young artists, Reli Wasser, continues to develop a name for herself with her unique paintings and mixed-media crafts. She is also very active on behalf of the Tzfat Artists Association as well as a wide variety of social and environmental projects. | ||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
| − | + | Reli grew up in Israel and moved to Tzfat over 20 years ago. Changes in her personal life encouraged her to pursue her dream to create art which she has been doing for many years. | |
| − | == | + | == Art == |
| − | + | Reli divides her work into three distinct categories. The first involves creating fine art where “the idea itself is the major guide for the creation.” The second category centers around creating crafts from mosaic mixed media. The third category relates to her work in curating exhibitions as part of her mission to revive Tzfat’s [[Artists Quarter Safed|Artist Quarter]] and draw new young artists to the area. | |
| − | === | + | === Fine Art === |
| − | + | Reli expresses her idea that “Idea” is the main cause for Creation” in her paintings and mosaics. She employs different techniques in these works including applique and mosaics. Subject matter includes Stars of David, nature, life-cycle events and Jewish-themed and Israel scenes. | |
| − | === | + | === Crafts === |
| − | + | Much of Reli’s work centers around the crafts that she makes using her mixed-media techniques. She produces Judaica, Kabbalah jewelry, unique housewares, frames for pictures and mirrors and decorated furniture using materials such as different types of stones, glass, wood, metal and other substances. | |
| − | === | + | === Curator === |
| − | + | Reli has become a sought-after curator for many different types of art exhibits. Some of these exhibits center around a theme or event such as her exhibitions for the Seven Species Project, the Sun Blessing Festival, and the Pri HaGalil Project. Others center around a specific issue -- The Yellow Star, Jerusalem and Romance. There are also exhibitions that highlight a particular type of art -- Color Exhibition and Sounds of Matter. Each exhibition is designed to give recognition to many different types of artists and craftspeople, oftentimes those who otherwise do not receive recognition. | |
| − | == | + | == Social Activism == |
| − | + | Much of Reli’s work and activities center on showcasing social justice. She is passionately involved in animal welfare as well as women’s rights and social justice. One of Reli’s well-publicized “exhibitions” involved activating a community whose central factory was in danger of closing. Reli coordinated local residents who, together with their children and local artists, created a giant “sculpture” of the factory’s cans. The factory remained open. | |
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| + | Reli makes every effort to use recycled materials for her artwork whenever possible. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Gallery == | ||
| + | The Reli Wasser Gallery is located in the [[General-Exhibition-Safed|General Exhibition courtyard]] of the Artists Quarter on Alorsoroff Street. Reli is available to answer questions and explain her work at the gallery. | ||
{{Claim Page}} | {{Claim Page}} | ||
Latest revision as of 03:16, 3 October 2012
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| Hebrew: | |
|---|---|
| גלריה מור | |
| Pronunciation: | |
| Mo’or | |
| Description: | |
| Tzfat artist who creates Jewelry and Judaica from silver, stone, wood and other elements. |
Shimon Maduny’s small gallery, across from the Yosef Caro Synagogue, gives visitors the opportunity to view the hand-crafted silverwork, woodwork and stonework that combine Jewish tradition and ritual with a modern Israeli flavor.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Shimon Maduny was born in Rishon L’Tzion, the son of Moroccan immigrants who had arrived during Israel’s early years. After his army service he traveled to the Far East and studied various forms of jewelry-making and stone cutting including intricate silversmithery. Upon his return to Israel Shimon moved to Tzfat and opened a small gallery on the Yosef Caro Street in the Old City of Safed. Shimon’s works are influenced by his commitment to Jewish traditions and the mystical teachings of Kabblah.
[edit] Gallery
Shimon established his gallery in 1993. He exhibits a wide variety of artwork in the gallery including his own hand-crafted jewelry, stonework, paintings and Judaica. Shimon’s gallery is open daily on the corner of the stairs that go up to the Sanz Synagogue.
[edit] Jewelry
Shimon’s silverwork is carefully crafted as he infuses each piece with meaning and unique symbols. He works in silver and incorporates Eliat stones and Roman Glass in many of his pieces. Other pieces have Kabbalistic meanings. Many of his pendants have Jewish and Israel symbols including flowers and plantlife of the Land of Israel, Hebrew letters, Jewish Stars and “Hamsa” -- hand signs. He also creates beaded jewelry with and without pendants.
[edit] Judaica
Shimon exhibits small Judaic articles in his gallery that he himself crafts. These items include “mezuzzas” -- decorated coverings for parchments with blessings that are affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes. He makes the mezuzza coverings from wood, silver and Tzfat stone. Shimon also carves larger pieces of Judaica, including free-standing menorahs and candelabras from Tzfat stone, on a commission basis.
[edit] Paintings
Shimon’s gallery also exhibits his paintings which are colorful depictions of the region’s trees, flowers and nature scenes. He also paints works of Biblical, Kabbalistic and Jewish themes.
[edit] History
Shimon’s small gallery made Tzfat, Israel and world history when two long-lost brothers met after more than 60 years of separation. Each brother arrived from North America with his children and grandchildren and both families chose the same day to tour Tzfat. One brother sat with Shimon outside his gallery while his grandchildren chose a few pieces of jewelry to buy. During this time, another group of youngsters entered the gallery to select some souvenirs. Both groups of children called to their grandfathers to come and pay at the same time, and as Shimon added up the sales, he noticed that the two elderly men looked alike. When he pointed this out, they looked at each other and began to cry -- they had been separated during the Holocaust and each had believed that the other had died.
