Moshe Gershuni

Moshe Gershuni (b. 1936, Israel) is a painter and sculptor whose work combines thematic directness with abstract formality that applies to the heart and emotions of viewers and not to their mental capacities. In his expressive paintings, Gershuni emphasizes the importance of Israeli painting by using Israeli iconography and texts from the Jewish tradition. At the same time, he brings a leftist political agenda into the public discourse, rereading of the national narrative and demanding acceptation of others. Despite being one of the most successful and well-known artists in Israel – with a large retrospective exhibition at Tel Aviv Museum and the Neu Gallerie in Berlin – his work is still considered by many as subversive and anti-authoritarian. In 2003 Gershuni was named as the winner of the Israel Prize, but he refused to take part in the award ceremony and thus his prize was revoked.

Related exhibition: The Towering Inferno

Moshe Gershuni, One Day Will Come and Cyclmens Will Flourish, 1983, Oil and glasspaint on paper

Moshe Gershuni, Kiss My Ass, c.1987, glass paint, oil, industrial varnish, oil pastels and mixed media on paper

Moshe Gershuni, Untitled, 2006, Oil and Acrylic gel on canvas

Moshe Gershuni, Untitled, 2012, Oil, glass paint and acrylic gel on canvas

Moshe Gershuni, Untitled, 2012, Oil, glass paint and acrylic gel on canvas

The collection