Michal Ashkenasi
Israel
My work is about feelings , my mood when I make it , the situation of my country, my surroundings , the world and people . I work from my imagination from a dream or an association from something
My art has different structures , big fields of color with a small object .Most of my work is minimalistic -abstract .
I came very late to art , only when I was 43 years old . I never thought to become an artist but I'm happy it became so . For me it is the only way to show my true self and am glad to share it with other people !
Trees
1. What’s your background?
I was born in the Netherlands, came to Israel after WW2 in 1951, lived in a kibbutz , was in the army , married and have two sons, 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild , after 17 years we left the kibbutz and moved to an agriculture school .There I was advised to study art and went to the Haifa University for 3years and with finishing my study I was accepted to masterclasses for seven years .Nowadays I live and work in the center near Tel Aviv.
.2. What does your work aim to say?
With the big expanses and the small objects I aim the show how small mankind is as oppose to Nature.
3. How does your work comment on current social or political issues?
I have different times of work .Some times I work at random but there are times that I make series which are for the most part around a social or a political theme. In those works I put all my critique and feelings .
4. Who are your biggest influences?
I think the most I was influenced by the Israeli artists Uri Reizman and Michael Grossman . Also Mark Rothko and the colors of Kandinsky
Two Lakes, One Point
5. How has your art evolved over the years?
At the beginning I painted impressionism , but very soon I got to my own style and it did not change much . Although I used to work very smooth and nowadays I work more with structures in the paint.
6. What does art mean to you?
Through Art I can vent all my feelings and moods . It is a must for me , like other things in life , like food, sleep and dreams. And I hope with my work to make some people happy and give some joy !
7. What’s the most valuable piece of art to you?
I have my favorites and that's normal but for the most I like almost all my paintings . As for another art piece, I once saw a sculpture of Bellini which till now I see it clearly in my mind . That was a moment of shear love!
8. What’s next for you in the future?
I'm 85 years old and I don't have much time anymore . But I still have dreams and aim to bring those to life .I'm not looking for awards , and was honored enough , but maybe a retrospective exhibition ? Who knows ….
Flowers
