

Fair Features Israeli Art Amalgamation
Hampstead & Highgate Express
By Alison Oldham
February 3, 2006Copyright 2006 Archant Regional
The display of the Association of Israel's Decorative Arts (AIDA) at the prestigious Collect 2006 art fair at the Victoria and Albert Museum is called Integration. The title is meant to convey the country's eclectic mix of nations and cultures and also the surprising combinations of materials and methods of the decorative artists selected.
The duo Reddish – Naama Steinbock and Idan Friedman – soften the look of their hand-crafted hardwood furniture with embroidery and coat polystyrene with silver to create their Grenadine pendant necklaces.
Lotus Peles-Chen amalgamates everyday objects such as newspapers with pure craft materials like thread, favouring earth tones for her embroidery to try to deliver a sense of reminiscence.
Einat Cohen makes ceramics inspired by marine life, using porcelain paper clay and slip casting to create asymmetrical objects that walk a fine line between sculpture and functional ware.
AIDA was founded to develop awareness of contemporary Israeli decorative artists. Its operations director for the UK, the artist Michal Cole who lives in Belsize Park, said: “The outbreak of the Second Intifada significantly reduced Israel's tourism and curtailed visits from major international collectors and museums.
“Israel has produced many artists whom the current political situation has left unrepresented and unable to promote themselves outside of Israel's borders.”
To find out more, visit stand 26 at the art fair or www.aidaarts.org.