Love Is The Only Thought Pain Is The Only Feeling - 2024
Acrylic, pumice and charcoal on canvas and linen
90 x 130 cm
The upper painting was inspired by one of Frank Auerbach's paintings of his model that I always visit at the Israel Museum. I painted my partner at the time. The hair was inspired by a Julia Titi sculpture (daughter of the emperor Titus who conquered and destroyed Jerusalem, known for her hot temper and wild nature). Jerusalem, the city my family has lived in for 17 generations, is being destroyed again. The bottom painting was painted a few weeks later, after the relationship with my partner ended. The character is holding a yellow bird, which is a symbol of my anxiety and further serves to synergize with the yellow painting and reflect on that era. The character has a bowling ball on his chest, an object out of place causing discomfort. The character is refusing to let go of that weight. He is wearing clown shoes because humor is a survival tool and because of shame. He is lying on an endless depressing blue surface.