Photo: Courtesy of Ryab
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I was born and raised in France in a traditional Judaism but firmly attached to my Jewish identity. When I was around 20, I decided to move to Israel with some friends, and after the army, I got married. At the same time, I did Teshuvah, which radically changed my approach to life and my attachment to Rabbi Nahman of Breslev. Today I am married with three children, I work in web marketing, but I have the feeling that this passion for artistic creation is like a new adventure in my life.
What inspired you to become an artist?
I have always felt an artistic yearning in me, even though I have not let it out for years. This passion for artistic creation came to me quite by chance during confinement. I worked for some of my clients making flyers because I do some graphics in a professional setting. And without planning anything, I started to create a first design, then another and so on. I had a lot of fun doing it and showing them to my loved ones and received very positive feedback, which encouraged me a lot to continue.
What is your speciality?
Currently, I only work digitally on the computer, but I feel an urge to create works with real materials as I move forward.
How and where do you work?
I don’t have any set rules. As soon as I feel like it, I take my computer and, depending on the inspiration, throw myself in without really knowing where I’m going.
What is the most indispensable item in your studio?
My computer.
Where do you take your inspiration? Are you pursuing any themes?
I draw my inspiration from the teachings of Rabbi Nahman de Breslev and the Hasidut, but more generally, the Jewish world and the Torah are among my main themes.
Do you do bespoke work?
If I feel like I can find inspiration why not.
What projects are you currently working on?
I don’t have a pre-established plan. So I move forward without really knowing what the destination is. It’s the path that matters to me.
What is or are your favourite items in your current collection?
This is a painting of a child from which letters in Hebrew rise up, which symbolize a pure prayer rising towards G-d.
How do you know when a piece is finished?
When I am happy with the result, I generally stop, or my wife stops me.
What was the first artwork you ever sold?
It was a bespoke order, the one where we see the soldier and the Hasid praying together.
Which project have you enjoyed working on the most so far?
I enjoyed each of them.
What do you want to achieve with your work and what are your wishes for the future?
I feel that artistic creation is a way for me to reveal part of my identity, and I sincerely hope to realise myself through this passion.
Where can we find your work?
https://www.instagram.com/yiddishkeit.art/
https://www.facebook.com/yiddishkeit.art
https://www.etsy.com/fr/shop/Yiddishkeit
Photos: Courtesy of Ryab
