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

.

meydad Eliyahu

MEYDAD ELIYAHU IS AN ARTIST, CURATOR, AND EDUCATOR WHO LIVES AND WORKS IN JERUSALEM. HE USES DRAWING, SCULPTING, AND JAPANESE AND CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY AND INK PAINTING TECHNIQUES TO CREATE SITE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATIONS REPRESENTING LAYERED NARRATIVES WITH HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT, AND SOCIALLY ENGAGED ART PROJECTS.

I believe that drawing is at the base of every human action. Movement is a drawing and you can find a drawn line wherever you look.

Elections - oil on melamine, 2020

Space is a very powerful tool. Even when it seems there are only "paintings" on the wall, the space around them is an integral part of experiencing my work.

I strive to break the canvas’ frame, to blur the boundaries between the object and the observers, share my process, and allow people to participate.

Public Works, Jerusalem Hills - Fresco on plaster walls installation, Petach Tikva Museum of Art 400 x 2900 cm (157 x 1,142 in), 2016

I WANT THE ARTISTIC ACTION TO BE A VISUAL CALL FOR CHANGE, FOR ANOTHER LOOK, SOMETIMES AN INNER LOOK. ART HAS THAT POWER TO BE A TRANSFORMER OF VISUAL AND PHYSICAL SUBSTANCE.

Pigment and lacquer on Perspex installation, Missionary center, Schneller historic compound, Jerusalem, 350 x 350 cm (138 x 138 in,) 2019

THE MATERIAL OR MEDIUM I PICK IS AT THE CENTER OF THE PROJECT, AND IS PART OF MY SEARCH FOR A SPECIFIC QUALITY, A SPECIFIC VOICE.

I USE DIFFERENT METHODS AND STRATEGIES, COMBINING OBSERVATIONS WITH COLLECTED MATERIALS AND STORIES IN A PROCESS THAT RESEMBLES A RITUAL.

WHENEVER I USE TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES, ARCHIVE MATERIALS AND PHOTOS OR SPACES WITH LAYERS OF HISTORY, I REMOVE THE OUTSIDE LAYER TO DISCOVER AND RECONSTRUCT THE STORY.

Artist eesidency at HaMiffal art center

Red Crown Green Parrot - public art collaboration with Thoufeek Zakriya, Kashi Art Gallery, collateral project at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India, 2018-2019

IN RECENT YEARS, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE STORY OF THE KERALA JEWISH COMMUNITY.

Although my father was born in Kerala, south India, and I grew up in a Moshav of Keralan immigrants in Israel, I knew very little about the community's history and traditions.

When I first traveled to Kerala, I found more questions than answers.

My artistic process felt almost like an archeological excavation when artifacts and evidence I discoverED proved to have a true value to the research of the community.

The Box of Documents - installation of paintings, works on paper, photographs, historical objects, and chalk writing on wall, historic house in Kashi Art Gallery, collateral project at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, 2016-2017

Moshav - oil on melamine, 2020

WHEN QUARANTINE STARTED, I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF MANY PROJECTS, INCLUDING AN UPCOMING SOLO EXHIBITION AT THE WILFRID ISRAEL MUSEUM IN ISRAEL THAT GOT POSTPONED FOR TWO MONTHS.

LIKE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE DURING THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE RHYTHM OF MY LIFE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY. I SUDDENLY HAD TIME TO STOP and SLOW DOWN, AND I FOUND MYSELF THINKING A LOT ABOUT THE WAY I WORK and about my career.

Threshold - mixed media installation, The Wilfrid Israel Museum, Israel, 2020

When I finally got back to my studio work, I felt more comfortable to experiment.

Threshold - mixed media installation, The Wilfrid Israel Museum, Israel, 2020

I REWORKED PAINTINGS THAT I HAD THOUGHT WERE ALREADY FINISHED. IN MY LAYERED WAY OF WORKING, I ALLOWED MYSELF TO ADD AND ERASE LAYERS TIME AFTER TIME, UNTIL I FOUND THE MOST ACCURATE EXPRESSION.

Camp - oil on melamine, 2020

.

meydad eliyahu

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

Meydad's website (click here)

The Red Crown Green Parrot project (click here)

.

For more stories in this series (click here)

For more about Kol HaOt (click here)

Created By

Lilach Schrag

Appreciate

Credits:

Public Works, Jerusalem Hills - photo by Elad Sarig; The Schneller Order Exhibition (image with visitors) – photo by Shai Halevi; Artist residency in HaMiffal art center - photos by Yelena Kvetny; The Box of Documents – photo by K R Sunil; All other images are courtesy of the artist.