I began this self-portrait when I first moved to Tel Aviv in 2008. I was living in Florentin, a very colourful area known for its street art and interesting inhabitants. It was here that I began to experiment with painting.
I would often paint on pieces of wood or found objects discarded in the street. But I also invested in my first easel and purchased a couple of canvases and some acrylic paints.
Tel Aviv (2008-17) started as a painting where I was lying down and I displayed it accordingly. Yet when I started to renew this work, many years had elapsed and my instinct was to make the painting stand vertically.
Renaissance
Revisiting Tel Aviv (2008-2017) was a chance to reflect on what was a time of great self-discovery and deep inspiration. I believe that a painting can be improved upon over time. I have reviewed other paintings in this way, including Renaissance (2017) and Consciousness (2017).
Looking back using a paintbrush allowed me to correct those elements, in order for the self-portrait to really embody me. I felt there was too much black in the composition, so I added in warmer tones. I also altered the expression on the face and in the eyes.
For all that, I still retained the domino necklace I was wearing in the original. This accessory defined me during this period of my life. It was simple but wearable art, which I created using an electric drill and some hat elastic.
In 2008, I had been experimenting with skin tone but in this case, the result was more exaggerated than I wanted. It was for this reason that I decided to create a more realistic palette and one that revealed my feminine side.
The result is a work of art that truly encompasses where I was in my life and not just geographically. Tel Aviv (2008-2017) shows my adventurous spirit coupled with optimism for the future.