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

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Eliahou Eric Bokobza

ELIAHOU ERIC BOKOBZA WORKS AND LIVES IN TEL AVIV. IN HIS CHILD-LIKE STYLE, HE UTILIZES A VARIETY OF MEDIA SUCH AS PAINTING, PRINT, SCULPTURE, AND ANIMATION TO CREATE CONTEMPORARY CRITICAL COMMENTS ON SOCIAL AND ART TRADITIONS. HIS ARTWORK IS INCLUDED IN THE PERMANENT COLLECTIONS OF MUSEUMS IN ISRAEL AND WORLDWIDE.

Art can be both critical and respectful. I use my art mainly to look at elements of my own identity.

I was born in Paris (in the west) to parents who immigrated from Tunis (in the east), and I live in this complex place called Israel.

Yellow Sun - oil over acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60 centimeters (24 x 24 inches)

THE FACT THAT I WAS BORN A JEW IS ONE OF MANY ELEMENTS IN MY MULTICULTURAL IDENTITY. MY POINT OF VIEW IS JEWISH, SECULAR, AND ATHEISTIC.

TEXTS AND CUSTOMS OF THE JEWISH CULTURE AFFECT MY LIFE HERE.

THEY ARE PART OF THE CULTURE THAT NOURISHES ME - REGARDLESS OF THE RELIGIOUS PRACTICE THAT ACCOMPANIES THEM.

Warm Countries - oil over acrylic on canvas, 40 x 40 centimeters (16 x 16 inches)

Throughout my 20-year art career, I have always worked in a studio located in my apartment, so the reality of the Corona lockdown did not require any substantive change in my location or the way I work. Still, it was different.

In preparation for the closure, when everyone was stocking up on food and toilet paper, I was looking for art supply stores that were still open so I could replenish my supply of paints. My real fear was that I’d run out of one of my paints while quarantined in the studio.

Although I am used to working from home, the quiet in the streets around me, and the cessation of daily life chores, helped make me more productive. The fact that there was nowhere to go turned confinement in the studio into a safe haven, a refuge from reality, and an optimal environment for creating.

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE LOCKDOWN, I WAS PREPARING FOR AN EXHIBITION THAT WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN EARLY MAY AS PART OF THE "FRESH PAINT" FAIR.

Red Sun - oil over acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60 centimeters (24 x 24 inches)

DESPITE THE CONCERN THAT THE EVENT WOULD BE POSTPONED, I WAS ON TRACK TO BE READY, BUT THE ART I WAS CREATING STARTED MOVING AWAY FROM REALITY TOWARD A MORE ESCAPIST, HAPPY, AND JOYFUL DIRECTION.

Diversity - oil over acrylic on canvas, 100 x 90 centimeters (39 x 35 inches)

THIS DIRECTION HELPED COUNTER THE DISTRESSING REALITY. WHEN THE EXHIBITION FINALLY TAKES PLACE, THE OPTIMISM THESE WORKS CONVEY WILL EMERGE INTO THE NEW REALITY.

Still from animation video - ink on paper

IN THE POST-LOCKDOWN PERIOD, I FELT THE DESIRE TO NOTE THE IMPACT OF THE HISTORICAL EVENTS WE ARE EXPERIENCING.

THIS IS HOW THE IDEA TO CREATE THE SERIES OF WORKS CALLED “CORONA COMMEMORATIVE PLATES” WAS BORN.

Porcelain markers on plates - 27 centimeters (11 inches) diameter

THIS SERIES OF SOUVENIR PLATES DEPICTS THE VIRUS IN AN AESTHETIC, HUMOROUS MANNER.

CREATING A SOUVENIR is REALIZing THAT THIS PERIOD WILL COME TO AN END, AND THAT SOUVENIRS ARE WHAT WILL BE LEFT OF IT.

Porcelain markers on plates - 27 centimeters (11 inches) diameter

Eliahou Eric Bokobza

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

Eric's website (click here)

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For more stories in this series (click here)

For more about Kol HaOt (click here)

Created By

Lilach Schrag

Appreciate

Credits:

Created with images by Toa Heftiba - "blue surface" • Lauris Rozentals - "Red Wall, Las Palmas" • JOSE LARRAZOLO - "MAYGAS". All other photos are courtesy of the artist