Osnat Kollek
I was born in Jerusalem in 1960. Being an artist is the only way for me to express the fascinating experiences of my life and my extraordinary family. My father Teddy Kollek is known the world over for having been the mayor of Jerusalem for nearly thirty years.
Jerusalem is a beautiful and complicated city, combining a European-styled modern part with a Levantine 'A Thousand and One Nights' style Old City and markets. The city has always been an ancient and mysterious sister who has dominated our lives.
My father's love for art was expressed by the building of The Israel Museum, which has become one of the most important museums in the world. Our apartment was filled with archeological artifacts and ancient books, all relating to Jerusalem, of course. Among the many guests at our home were distinguished friends like Marc Chagall, Arthur Rubinstein, Marlene Dietrich, Alfred Hitchcock and Jacky Kennedy.
After completing my duty military service I graduated 'Cum Laude' from The Hebrew University with a degree in History of Art. On leaving university I ran an art gallery in the Old City of Jerusalem, and then for five years I became a curator in The Israel Museum.
I studied painting with some of the finest artists in Israel, and at The Israel Museum Art Institution. I concentrate on oil painting, which for me is the best medium for the expressive, sensual and almost three-dimensional work. People fascinate me; I feel my role in life is to tell the stories of different characters I have known, to visualize the influence of the passing years, and to capture precious people and moments in the eternal passion that artists have in dealing with passing time..
People, many of them strangers, tell me they are moved by my paintings. For that reason I am fulfilled as an artist.
Gallery:
Exhibitions:
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From 1995 |
Different Group exhibitions in Israel, Europe and the U.S.A. |
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May 2000 |
One-man exhibition, “Portraits of my Parents”, The Municipal Art Gallery, Jerusalem |
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January 2001 |
One-man exhibition, The Catto Gallery and Phillips Auctioneers Gallery, London |
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June-July 2002 |
One-man exhibition, “Precious Moments”, The Jerusalem Theatre Art Gallery, Jerusalem |
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April 2003 |
One-man exhibition, “Menschen und Orten”, Brockstedt Gallerie, Berlin |
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Oct. 2003-January 2004 |
One-man exhibition, “Art and Obsession”, The Jewish Vienna Museum, Vienna |
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October 2007 |
“Tribute Exhibition for Teddy Kollek”, Charim Gallery, Vienna (participant & organizing) |
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June-September 2008 |
“60 years in the eyes of Teddy”, The Ben Uri Gallery, London (participant & organizing) |
Exhibition press appearances:
The Jewish Chronicle, 17 January 2001
The Jewish Chronicle, 19 January 2001
Berliner Zeitung, Kultur, 5 April 2003
Die Welt, Berliner Leben, 5 April 2003
Berliner Morgenpost, 4 April 2003
www.wien.gv.at, 18 November 2003
Miscellaneous:
A tribute to my father, published in “The Jerusalem Post International” and in “The Jewish Week”
Contact info:
E-mail:
Phone : +972-52-3858444