Stellusz place

The «Art Market» gallery in the Tel Aviv port presents an exhibition in memory of

Johanan Herson

“The uniqueness of the individual is either strengthened or lost in the sea of human existence.”

An art exhibition in memory of the late Johanan Herson, a Canadian-born artist, actor, and curator who lived, created, and worked in Israel. The «Art Market» gallery in the Tel Aviv port, from BRUNO ART GROUP, is proud to showcase Johanan’s unique and much-loved style, which left an indelible mark on the world of culture in Tel Aviv.

For years Yochanan worked with Bruno Art Group as a curator and was entrusted with the artistic management of many exhibitions, including the opening event of the Art Market Gallery.

https://youtube.com/shorts/v7Flr0_cZ2s?feature=share

The collection of Johanan’s works will be exhibited at the «Art Market» gallery from May 2nd to May 20th, 2023. The exhibition is open to the general public, and admission is free.

Johanan was a multidisciplinary artist and a man of culture all his life. At the height of his success, his works were exhibited in many galleries.

Even today, it is difficult to wonder the streets of Tel Aviv without coming across his paintings and sculptures displayed in shop windows and public institutions, or passing by an exhibition that he curated or an art center he advised.

With his beloved and distinctive style, Johanan undoubtedly added numerous stones to the rich historical mosaic of Israeli art and aesthetics, ultimately leaving an undeniable mark on the cultural landscape of Tel Aviv. He poured his heart and soul into his work, driven by great love and devotion to his craft.

Over an extended period, Johanan dedicated himself to cultivating and refining his distinctive painting style. He succeeded in forging a personal voice that harmoniously blends the main cultural influences that shaped his identity as both an individual and an artist, specifically Israeli culture and North American culture.

These influences merged in his work into one piece. His award-winning acrylic paintings have received enthusiastic praise among art consumers in an impressive number of exhibitions throughout Israel, Europe and the USA, as well as in his native Canada.

The impressive acrylic works on fabric, wood and iron are joined by works using a unique method that Yochanan took part in developing, these are decorative tapestries. The tapestries reflect Johanan’s distinctive style and artistic sensibility.

Johanan also created hanging iron works and sculptures using rough and bare iron.

In 2007, together with Marlene Ferrer, he founded the GEBO gallery at Beit America in Tel Aviv. Raphael Barbiei joined them as the gallery’s curator. In December 2011 he curated a unique exhibition «Proud Look», which came to examine what «homosexual male sexuality» is.

Herson’s works are exhibited in various public and private institutions such as: the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, the Journalists’ House in Jerusalem, Mizrahi Bank (in 38 branches), Savioni Hagan in Tel Aviv, Africa Israel Lobby (Best Design Award), Ramat Gan Theater, Or Yehuda Conservatory, the Diamond Center in Tel Aviv and more. His works are also exhibited in exhibitions in Europe and North America.

During his years of work, he acquired a diverse and prestigious clientele throughout the country and the world.

Alongside his art career was his acting career with his first appearance on stage at the age of 12. Johanan played a guest role in Miki Bahagen’s suspense and mystery series «Late Night Stories» in the episode «Certain Death» alongside Natan Zahavi and Dan Turgeman. In the years 1996-1999, Herson played the character of the French Marcel in the Israeli TV series «Deadly Fortune», on Channel 2.

The artist’s point of view – Johanan Herson

The relationship between the individual and the universe, society, and others has always fascinated me. One particular subject that has captured my interest is the diversity and uniqueness of faces. Each face carries both similarities and distinctive features, creating a unique image in the midst of humanity’s pluralism. Whether in crowds of people, flocks of birds, packs of dogs, schools of fish, or herds of animals, we see individuals forming masses that blur the lines between the singular and the collective. It’s a reminder that the uniqueness of the individual is either strengthened or lost in the sea of human existence.

Herson lived in Tel Aviv, a divorced father of two children. Tragically, he passed away on February 20, 2022 at the age of 72.

Curator of the exhibition: Avraham Yadan

Video clip – https://youtube.com/shorts/v7Flr0_cZ2s?feature=share

The exhibition in memory of Johanan Herson will be shown on the dates: 

2/5/23 – 20/5/23

Sunday-Thursday 10:00-18:00, Friday 9:00-13:00.

Art Market, 3 HaTa’arucha St., Port of Tel Aviv. 03-648-8070.

Bruno Art Group Israel – Singapore – Korea – India – UK – USA