Avia Hashimshony “Yemin Moshe Views” 13.01.2007 – 07.02.2007
Israeli Art, Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem
What has not been said about painting and painters? Luckily, one can refer to Avia Hashimshoni's work with the utmost brevity and precision.
The phenomenon of his work is that of complete authenticity. From the very first touch, it has been good painting, deeply and sensitively felt. The colors of the golden-brown, burnt Jerusalem summer landscapes were always highly painted in texture, while rich in touch. If the vision gained in largeness and transparency later on, the essential texture remained that of Avia Hashimshony, intimate and deep. Avia Hashimsoni's rapport with his own painting met with several periods of reserve and escape, which resembled the fear involved in facing real love. His social and highly professional activities served him as a pretext to turn his back to his real passion, but the deep connection was never cut off for long.
Since the painting of Avia Hashimshony is far removed from any "isms" or conceptual elements in fashion, the onlooker is able to contemplate his creation with an open mind, and simply enjoy it as one can enjoy true human expression. Hana Bendov
Curriculum Vitae
Abia Hashimshony was born in cairo in 1912. a third son to his parents who were married in sejera- a settlement in the galilee. By the end of first world war the family moved to Haifa and then, when Abia was 10, to Jerusalem. Abia's interest in painting developed in Jerusalem.
1932- Abia joined a kibutz –Kvuzat Hachugim-and stayed by Ein Harod-a stream near the Gilboa mountains-where he met Davidka- David Navot-a painter who was a member too.
1933- Abia returned to Jerusalem and started painting with Davidka, who stayed for a while in Jerusalem and taught him the basics of oil painting. 1933 -1941- Abia rarely painted as he was busy in architecture studies in Haifa, worked in construction and took part in “Hagana” activities. By 1941 he decided to dedicate himself to painting. “I decided to move back to Jerusalem-but first i went to visit Davidka in “Bet Hashita”.
I joined a drawing group that took place in the evenings in Davidka's studio. During the days we were drawing in the fields.
Than i found a place in Ein-Charod's quarry. In the deserted grove i painted forgotten views.
I stayrs in Ein Charod for few months and than returned to Jerusalem .I wandered aroundsan Simon and Musrara, carrying my painting tools and drew landscapes… I joined the Palmach-for a year. During that period i painted few oil paintings and drew a lot-quick drawings in a small notepad.” Mid 1943-1944-Abia rented an apartment in Yemin Moshe and painted in and around Yemin Moshe neighberhood. "Jeusalem lies between two different landscapes: the area of red soil in the west and the area of grey soil in the east. The result is a variety of lanscapes.
In Yemin Moshe i found landscapes that were made from elements that were repeated in different combinations, like a subject with variations…”
1944- Abia started teaching in the faculty of architecture in Haifa's technion-he moved to Haifa and for 25 years was busy teaching and planning and rarely painted. 1964-while preparing Jerusalem's master plan Abia bought a house in Yemin Moshe- longing to the landscapes he loved and the neighborhood.
During his stay in Yemin Moshe in 1944 he met his wife Lea and in 1967 they moved to Jerusalem.
abia resumed his painting. “I was drawing in the deserted fields around the neighborhood…i painted from my studio through the window though i prefer working in the open view…”
1973-1983 Abia painted inJerusalem and in Labeaume-a village in Ardeche, France. “Ten years i worked alternately in Jerusalem, with its rigid, dramatic and pathetic landscape and in Ardeche with its simple, strong and tranquil landscape…”
The exhibition includes paintings of Yemin Moshe neighborhood and its vicinity that were painted between 1943 and 1945 and from 1970. In the 70' Abia quit teaching and planning and devoted himself to painting. In 1992 he became blind. Abia Hashimshony lives in Jerusalem with his wife Lea.
The quotations are from an exhibition catalogue—Abia Hashimshony, Paintings 1940-1990
Avia's Gallery... | 