Growing up in the exorbitantly politically charged environment of Jerusalem, artist Tslil Tsemet was bound to find some of that manifesting in her art.
Her paintings lie at the intersection of creepy and humorous. Her subject matters are often telling a story dealing with social and cultural matters, which are clearly very much entwined in the fiber of her being. Artists paint what they know, what they’ve experienced or want to experience, and what topics are important to them. This is exactly what Tsemet is doing. She believes that laughter as well as art are both healing remedies in this sick, sad world, so those are the things she puts into action. Her slightly disturbing imagery demands your attention. Then after a longer look, the dark humor of it all hits you and you’re suddenly able to laugh at these hideously daunting things and people therefore taking their power away ever so slightly. .
Tsemet is a strong believer in the truth that we are all one; we are all connected. Stripped of our clothing, our skin tones, our speech, our religious beliefs, we are all just naked bodies plodding around trying to make sense of ourselves and the world. She has found that painting her subjects in the nude gets this message across more directly. She is also calling upon the fact that nudity does not always have to equal sex or sexiness. Bodies are bodies and we all have them.
“Through art I examine the human species based upon the social and cultural values to which it is bond, and to those ideals we grasp in order to maintain our sanity,” says Tsemet. As she is still an emerging artist, she struggles with where her art actually belongs but seeing as how her technique is competent and cunning, not to mention powerful, and her topics of choice are relevant and striking, I believe she is one to watch. We can expect very large—she usually paints on canvases that about 60 by 40 inches—and influential paintings from her in the coming years.
How old are you and where are you from?
This story is from the November 2018 edition of American Art Collector.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2018 edition of American Art Collector.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FULL EXPOSURE
Photographer Conor Martin documents the present using photographic methods of the past.
Autumnal Light
The landscapes and nature scenes of painter Jennifer Sowders are irresistibly tactile, filled with varying textures that seem to leap off the canvas.
Art for All
Members of Art Dealers Association of America come together for a philanthropic affair.
Modern Marketplace
Redwood Art Group brings together the San Diego region for another class-act celebration of contemporary artwork.
An Enchanting Evening
Scottsdale Artists’ School knows how to throw an art party.
Timeless Tales
Soft, warm undertones underscore the mood of enchantment that runs through Nom Kinnear King’s paintings.
Next Exit New York
Coming off his series that focused on San Francisco and Los Angeles freeway signs, artist Eric Nash’s sights are now set on New York. Now on view at George Billis Gallery's Manhattan location are seven of Nash's new oil paintings and two drawings that explore the signage of New York City freeways. Although Nash's work is tightly rendered, he doesn’t consider himself a photorealist, but rather someone who utilizes those techniques to express ideas.
Monster Mash
Vampires, witches, ghouls and all things that go bump in the night are the theme of the exhibition Monster Mash, now at Abend Gallery.
Inside/Outside
Those familiar with Geoffrey Johnson's populated by inky figures and trailing shadows that bleed into the wet streets, and architectural elements obscured to varying degrees by the misty atmosphere.
Bold Figures; Bold Color
For Brooklyn based painter J Louis, it’s all about balance, which can mean many different things in a composition, but for Louis, it’s about balancing his female figures among a unique landscape of color.
