STUDIO STORIES 2020

STUDIO STORIES 2020 is a collection of short interviews with artists who have been making contemporary work during the Covid 19 pandemic. It introduces readers to the ways in which artists continue to create and adapt their practice today.

CURATED BY LILACH SCHRAG

ABOUT STUDIO STORIES 2020 - As the global health pandemic changed artists' lives and practice, Chicago-based artist Lilach Schrag found herself drawn to stories of how artists were adapting to lockdown and the new reality. The result is Lilach's curated presentation "Studio Stories 2020", hosted by Kol HaOt. "When I realized it would be impossible to have my scheduled June residency at Kol HaOt's gallery in Jerusalem, I reached out instead to colleagues and friends around the world who make contemporary art and started collecting their stories. I asked them to provide a glimpse into their mission, their methods, and their hearts. They spoke about their work, altered daily routines, challenging moments, uplifting realizations, and the ways in which they continue to create and adjust their practice during the pandemic. Individually, from their homes and their studios, they tell fascinating stories with thoughtful words and beautiful artwork. Collectively, they offer a snapshot of artists responding to the unprecedented reality of our time.” – Lilach Schrag, 2020

.

RUTH SCHREIBER

RUTH SCHREIBER’S WORK EXPLORES ASPECTS OF BEING FEMALE AND JEWISH IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY, WITH A FOCUS ON FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIPS, CEREMONY AND RITUAL, MEMORY AND DEATH. SHE STUDIED ART IN LONDON AND CALIFORNIA, AND MOST RECENTLY AT THE BEZALEL SCHOOL OF ART IN JERUSALEM.

Two Right Answers - hand-built earthenware partially glazed, 12 x 78 x 28 cm

I DRAW and PAINT IN WATERCOLORS AND OILS, AND CREATE CERAMIC SCULPTURES, VIDEO ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY.

RECENTLY I HAVE MOVED TOWARDS RECYCLING MATERIALS OR ARTWORKS, AND TO PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO ART, ALL IN THE INTERESTS OF CONSERVATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

I AM CURIOUS ABOUT HOW DIFFERENT MATERIALS WORK, AND ENJOY THE LEARNING PROCESSES of TRYING NEW OR FORGOTTEN MEDIA.

SOMETIMES THIS INVOLVES FRUSTRATING MISSTEPS, BUT it KEEPS ME ON MY TOES AND ENCOURAGES A SENSE OF OPEN POSSIBILITIES.

Garden of Eden - silk, plastic, 3 x 4 m

I am fortunate in that my studio is in my home.

These and Those - porcelain, CDs, Perspex, 12 x 10 x 78 cm

In the early days of the lockdown, I welcomed the extra time and caught up with work and tidying up, finishing off different small projects in the studio.

Angel's Ribs - hand-built earthenware, thread, 47 x 53 x 4 cm

A year earlier, I had chosen to illustrate a phrase from each chapter in the books of Genesis and Exodus, which total at 90 chapters, but I was overtaken by other projects and had only made 46 illustrations.

929 series - 40 x 40 cm each

During the months March to May, I was able to complete this series of watercolor, drawing, and collage on paper based on studying one chapter of Tanach (Hebrew Bible) daily with www.929.org.il.

929 series - 40 x 40 cm each

Since May I have been busy preparing my solo exhibition “Tempus Fugit” that opened on July 17th at BY5 Gallery in Tel Aviv, AFTER A FOUR-MONTH DELAY BECAUSE OF CORONA.

Opening of Tempus Fugit exhibit with curators, July 2020

Tempus Fugit - unfired earthenware, grass seeds, 2 x 20 x 15 cm

Be Fruitful and Multipy - papier mache, paper, gold leaf, paint, 60 x 95 x 3 cm (size varies)

From left to right - "Against the Evil Eye" - bronze, glass, metal, velvet, 9 x13 x10 cm; Out of the Box - hand-built paper clay, mixed media, 23 x 22 x 19 cm; Two Sisters - hand-built earthenware 16 x 23 x 29 cm

Untitled (The Female Side of G-d) - inkjet print, 150 x 69 cm

THERE’S SOMETHING CALMING ABOUT HAVING FEWER OUTSIDE COMMITMENTS AND I AM PLANNING TO EXPERIMENT WITH A COUPLE OF NEW TECHNIQUES WHICH HAVE BEEN QUIETLY SITTING ON MY WORKBENCH FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW.

I would say:

• Remember to remain positive and productive.

• allow yourself the space to daydream and fiddle around - that’s surely an integral part of being an artist.

The Way We Were - porcelain, orange skins, lace, old copper, 13 x 31 x 28 cm

• Limit social media and news bulletins which can be both time-consuming and draining.

• Appreciate that with our contemporary connection opportunities (websites, FaceTime etc.) we are so fortunate to have amazing resources at our fingertips even when isolated.

Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion - hand-built porcelain, eggplant skin, old lace, 6 x 35 x 39 cm

RUTH SCHREIBER

you can see more of RUTH's work by visiting:

Ruth's website (click here)

.

For more stories in this series (click here)

For more about Kol HaOt (click here)

Created By

Lilach Schrag

Appreciate

Credits:

All photos courtesy of the artist