vered gersztenkorn, israel: artist profile

“I’m certainly not going to pretend to be someone I’m not.” Vered Gersztenkorn

I was delighted to have had the opportunity to meet Vered in Italy during the 2015 Global Arts Project residency. What I remember most about Vered, aside from her unique, technical artistic approach, was our walks to the studio. During that time, I was able to learn more about her—the influences that inspires her paintings and her life in Israel.

HAF:  I’d first like to congratulate you on your first solo show in the U.S. Your show, Waking Dreams,  which opened at the Fourth Wall Contemporary Art Gallery in Oakland, California last year. Tell me, how did this opportunity present itself?

vered:  Susan, the Fourth Wall’s owner, came to the opening of the exhibition of GAP at the Room Art Gallery earlier this year, there she met Carl Heyward,  Global Art Project (GAP)  founder; he introduced my work to her.  I thought it would be great to have my work exposed in San Francisco.  Carl curated the show and actually made it possible.

HAF:  What works did you display at the Fourth Wall gallery?

vered:  There are about 20 mixed media works on canvas and twenty small works on paper. If I’d had more time, I would have done a body of work specifically for [Susan] with a single theme. Still, I had no problem with sending works that I had in my studio. There were four big works on canvas sent from the gallery in Detroit, which made it easier for me and of course, contributed to the show. I chose the name for the exhibition as I think my works reflect my subconscious mind.

HAF:  What informs your work?

 vered Anything that catches my eye—a peeling old wall, my studio, a messy table, old letters, papers, children’s paintings and, of course, other people’s art. My impulses or instincts are always visual, never intellectual. In abstract and figurative, I deal with my inner world in relation to the surrounding.

HAF:  Describe your working process.

vered:  I believe that in my work, as in my life, there is a similarity between spontaneity and ‘non-planning.’ I tend to flow with what there is rather than mark a target and try to reach it. I feel that when I do the right thing at the right time, I’m on the right track. The process of things in life and art is what’s important to me.

HAF:  Please speak about working/living in a certain amount of isolation; how does that affect you and your work?

vered:  Isolation is the result of being the introverted person that I am. It has both positive and negative sides. It allows me to concentrate on things that are most important to me without being disturbed or distracted by the ‘outside world.’ For sure, this has a direct influence on my art; The negative side is that I don’t have enough interactions with people. I would say it’s a wonder that with my attitude my work was somehow noticed.

HAF:  How do you approach layering colors and shapes in your art? Some work has a silk screened appearance.

vered:  Normally, I start with one opaque layer and then I start to build the work, all the time covering, adding, and revealing. To get a ‘silk screen’ effect, I dilute the color and use it when the layer underneath is dry. The entire process takes much patience so I always work on several canvases at the same time.

I consider ART as my homeland or nationality, as well as my ‘religion.’ Vered Gersztenkorn

 

Carl Heyward, USA contributed to this story

 

Rinozaour, 50×60cm acrylic on canvas
sisters, 25x30cm acrylic on wood
untitled 25x30cm acrylic on wood
Dog man 35×35cm mix media on canvas
summer 130×150cm acrylic on canvas
Keeping balance, 25×25cm acrylic on canvas
Im blue, 10×10cm. acrylic on wood
girl with blue chair, 35x45cm acrylic on wood
long-distant runner 30x40cm acrylic on canvas
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