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Moshe Kassirer

Ava Carmel

2024

Moshe Kassirer is an Israeli artist known for his unique blend of naturalism, cultural symbolism, and modern artistic techniques. 


His paintings offer a nuanced exploration of life in the Galilee, Israeli society, and the ongoing relationship between humanity and nature.


Born in 1967 in Netanya, his early life in a modern urban environment exposed him to a world dominated by technology and consumerism. 

Kassirer received a formal education in the arts, studying painting at the Avni Institute of Art in Tel Aviv and filmmaking at the Camera Obscura School of Art. He also studied with prominent Israeli artists, including Naftali Golomb, and later with international painters such as Don Jusko and Robert Bosler. His artistic education provided him with both classical and contemporary techniques, laying the foundation for his exploration of various mediums.


In 2003 Kassirer moved to Yodfat, in the Galilee.  This move inspired a new focus in his work, shifting his subject matter to the natural beauty and agricultural life of the region. His art reflects both his deep connection to the land and his observations of the ever-changing landscape of Israeli society. Through his paintings, Kassirer addresses the impact of modernization, industrialization, and globalism on humanity’s relationship with nature.

His works often feature themes of manual labor, such as farmers working the land and seasonal agricultural scenes, such as olive harvest. These depictions evoke a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time when humanity and nature were more harmoniously intertwined.


In many of his works, Kassirer uses ladders as a symbol, representing the connection between the material and spiritual worlds, and humanity's search for meaning in a complex and often destructive world.

Kassirer's technique is notable for its layering of opaque and transparent paints, which add texture and depth to his work. His use of vivid colors and abstract forms gives his work a dreamlike quality.

 

His paintings also incorporate historical, cultural, and spiritual elements, referencing Israeli history, Jewish tradition, and broader mythological narratives, all while engaging with contemporary issues such as environmental degradation, identity, and coexistence.


Throughout his career, Kassirer has exhibited widely, both in Israel and internationally. His work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions, earning him critical acclaim for his ability to merge personal and political themes. 

Kassirer is also a member of the Israeli Painters & Sculptors Association and has been awarded the prestigious "America-Israel Cultural Foundation" scholarship

Ava Carmel

Published at myoldnewland

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