ONE PERSON EXHIBITION

Moving exhibition
Artist: Israel Tabakov / Israel
October, 23 – November,27 2008
New Castra Gallery, Castra Art Center
Haifa, Israel
December, 7 2008 – January, 7 2009
Auditorium Theater Gallery,
Akko, Israel

ONE PERSON EXHIBITION Moving exhibition
Artist: Israel Tabakov / Israel
October, 23 – November,27 2008
New Castra Gallery, Castra Art Center
Haifa, Israel
December, 7 2008 – January, 7 2009
Auditorium Theater Gallery,
Akko, Israel

A Poetic and Personal Dimension In the work of Israel Tabkov

Dr. Zvika Israel

In 1984, Israel Tabkov was awarded the Haifa municipality Struck prize. The judges' reasons for this award: 'The prize is awarded to the artist Israel Tabkov, for his creative work 'A journey in Israel', in which clear and sensitive, original expression was most obvious and also for the universal message that it transmits to its observers'. Tabkov received an additional meritorious commendation in 2009, when his work 'Sabbath', was again awarded this prestigious prize. 'Sabbath', a painting in acrylics, is one of Israel Tabkov's most outstanding products. This creative work can be seen as representing the essence of the artist's creative expression. Using a realistic technique and a monochrome palette Tabkov presents the observer with an urban composition emanating the atmosphere of the Sabbath. Tabkov touches upon the traditional experience of his parents' home, evoking emotions of yearning for the scenes of his childhood. His unique graphic approach, placement of the color and his manner of expression grant his work a poetic and very personal dimension. Employing shades of white and grey, in a flickered texture, the artist engenders the sense of spirituality that emanates from the city and its human landscape.

In another work a sort of dialog is conducted between different pictures of the city that gradually fade away due to rapid urbanization processes involved in the development of the modern metropolis. From feelings of belonging and tradition, the view is transformed in these works to become an insipid grey suggesting the issue of society's alienation.

Israel Tabkov, the artist was born in Irkutsk in Siberia. He studied in the College of Fine Arts in Irkutsk, and was employed as an artistic editor and illustrator in a publishing house in the city of Chita in Siberia. He was a Member of the Painters' Association of the former USSR, and was involved in engraving, painting monuments and pictures. Tabkov works with a variety of materials including oil and acrylic paints.

Tabkov has participated in many exhibitions, for example in Moscow, Leningrad and Irkutsk. In 1991 he immigrated to Israel and joined the Israel Association of Painters and Sculptors. He has since held one-man shows in various locations including: Nahariya museum and the Chagall Artist's House in Tel Aviv, and also participated in the annual exhibitions held at the Chagall Artist's House in Haifa, and various other group exhibitions.

His one-man show is at present showing at the Castra Arts Center in Haifa, under the auspices of the International Cultural Union.

(Translated by Naomi Yalin)