One of the features which distinguishes great artists from simple painters in portrait paintings is expression.
The way we usually study a portrait is to determine its authenticity.
This painting of former Prime Minister of Israel Golda Meir reminds us fondly of our beloved Golda.
Credit: Yoninah via Wikipedia
A tough politician in many ways, but in others a real Yiddishe Mama.
The expression on her face captured by the British-Israeli street artist Solomon Souza brings back memories like her ‘kitchen cabinet’ where all the major decisions were made over a cup of tea.
Street Art
Israel is not short of street artists. You’ll find all kinds of graffiti in most of the big cities in Israel, much of it with an inner message of interest.
For instance, Israeli people are deeply involved in politics. Politics is part of daily life and art is no exception.
In Israeli street painting there is a wide range of political statements expressed.
It’s not unusual to see barefaced political statements, some from highly acclaimed artists whose works are often displayed in art galleries, both in Israel and abroad.
Political ideology, national pride and anti-war statements, beautifully painted and drawn express the range of opinions and emotions of everyday life in Israel.
Tel Aviv and Jaffa are perhaps the home of distinctive street-art in Israel, but traveling around the country to cities like Safed and Acre there is a feast of artistry decorating the buildings, large and small.
It brings to mind another side of Israel. A highly creative and multi-cultural society.
Although most of the Jewish population are born here, from the time of the Declaration of Statehood in 1948, the bulk of the population were migrants from devastated countries in Europe and from countries in the Middle East where Jews faced torture and death from hostile rulers.
The migrants brought with them many customs and creations from their native country.
It has greatly expanded the cultural life enjoyed by Israelis from arts and craft to exotic foods.
The Other Side of the Coin
At this stressful time in our history, we should look at those ugly and harmful posters around the world that shout out to destroy Israel and murder the Jews.
This is destructive street-art, crudely produced and lacking in everything except hatred and mis-information.
You’ll see them plastered on buildings, subways and wherever there’s a wall.
Those ignorant and ill-informed people who either paint or sketch the material have absolutely no knowledge whatsoever about so many of the benefits and assistance Israel has given to many countries around the world in times of distress.
Just for good measure, should they visit Israel and see how street-art is created with objective creativity, they might step back and understand how they have been hoodwinked with false facts and beliefs.
As we might say, what distinguishes great street-art from ugly sketches and spray painting is the ability to understand the difference between truth and lies, then express it in an artistic manner.
