Contemporary Art in Jerusalem

Israel is known for its start-ups. But it’s not all about what’s new. Israel’s roots are ancient, and sometimes despite its own leadership, Israel is one of the few countries to have preserved its tradition, culture, and art with love and zeal and tenacity. Art in Israel shows the journey of Jewish artists in Israel, where the themes progressed from religious before the rise of the wave of irreligious leftist Zionism to modern to a combination of both and experimentation with subjects from the rest of the world. Jerusalem in Israel is the seat of this art and the place where one gets to witness the immense treasure that the country has in terms of biblical, cultural art. It doesn’t end there because contemporary art in Israel is enormous, and there are lots of budding artists and art students who are putting their work out for the world, and Jerusalem is the biggest stage that showcases them and their art to the rest of the world.

Contemporary art in Israel began to take a distinctive form starting in the 1970s, and it was supported by artists such as Dan Flavin, Agnes Martin, Eva Hesse, among others. The department of contemporary art in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, provided a massive boost to modern art in Jerusalem, and the city became the preferred location for contemporary artists to showcase their work. The department was established in 1982, and it became the largest treasury and showcase for contemporary art in the entire country. The art collection, which ranges from the very start of the contemporary art in Israel i.e., in the 1970s to the present day, is continuously improved and enlarged. The department focuses on the works of the young artists at the start of their career and has installations and collection of 3-D, photography, and video-based works. The department was the most significant boost to contemporary artists because it provided them with a gallery of 1200 square meters at a renowned place in the revered city and where the display changed every day.Yet this kind of Israel contemporary art generally abandoned or poked fun at ancient themes of Judaism. It took another generation for Israeli contemporary art to reconnect with its roots, coupling contemporary technique with ancient themes of Torah Judaism.

The other famous places where art enthusiasts can find contemporary art in Jerusalem are as follows:

Designers in the City complex: This is an ideal center for art, including ceramics, clothing, and jewelry. This is essentially the location of article art. The center is located at the Bezalel street, and it showcases the works of the young artists and designers with innovative designs on homeware. These designs are also for sale, and it is worth visiting.

Menucha Page’s Gallery: Menucha Page is a young artist whose works are based on the traditional Jewish themes from the ancient Torah and Hebrew alphabet. She also has many abstract works and is currently a permanent member of the Rosenbach Contemporary Gallery. Her private gallery in the historicneighborhood of Nachlaotin central Jerusalem is open to enthusiasts exclusively on appointment. The place offers a unique experience of traditional themes in contemporary art.

Jerusalem Artists’ House: This historical venue displays a mix of very gifted newcomers along with the works done by veterans, and it gives the art loves a chance to glance at the veterans of contemporary art along with the new though and talent that is coming up. The gallery is not restricted to only locals but also invites foreign artists. The gallery also has its significant collection open for sale to the public.

Menucha Page is a contemporary Jewish artist based in the historic Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel.