Congratulations to Aviv Keller for earning his place as a Finalist in the Boynes Emerging Artist Award 7th Edition!

Who are you?

I am Aviv Keller, 47 y/o, a person with high sensitivity to my surroundings, both to humans, animals and nature. I am an impressionist of feelings and senses and try to convey it through figurative expression.
Although I always had an affinity to painting, I started realizing this ambition relatively late. Before that, I was engaged in graphic design and I have a bachelor's degree in visual communication. During my work as a graphic designer in newspapers, I started studying realistic painting and the more this occupation took shape and grew, the less relevant my previous occupation seemed to me. When I started selling my paintings I realized my work had an emotional value for other people and painting
became my sole occupation.

What inspired you to utilize painting as a medium?

There are many clichés about painters, some of them are even true. The cliché that says- I didn't choose to be a painter, painting chose me, is true. The urge to create is planted in me, the desire to examine how reality looks if I use this particular medium to describe it and the ability to do so in a way that evokes reactions and feelings for the viewers. I set myself the goal of taking my technical abilities and conveying them through the prism of my personality, my specific sensibilities, empathy and compassion.

How would you describe your artwork?

First of all, I define myself as a painter, not as an artist. A working man. I work with two techniques - painting and embroidery. I take traditional working methods and bring them into the present. I'm continuing an existing tradition, translating it to a contemporary language, trying to pour relevant content and connect the past to the present to produce something new.

Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind "Across the Universe"?

The painting applies several motifs that are repeated in my work: A frontal and symmetrical composition created by a central element that crosses the space. Close versus far that emphasizes the empty space between them. Organic forms from nature against man-made engineering forms. The painting depicts the view I see from the balcony in my hometown and represents the connection between
nature and the urban environment.

Can you walk us through the technical steps of creating "Across the Universe"?

The painting is built gradually - first the center of the composition - the tree trunk and then its two sides, with the entire surface of the painting being built at the same time.

There is a preliminary painting that I painted during different hours. When I started it, right from the first brushstroke, the song 'Across the Universe' by Fiona Apple was playing on the radio. It was clear to me that this would be the name of the painting.

What do you hope to communicate to an audience with your work?

I spend many hours alone in the studio. Usually I'm not exposing my works while it's in process. So I don't necessarily know how the audience will react to it and sometimes I am surprised about the sympathy that certain works receive compared to others. But as long as my work is exciting to someone else I understand that it has value in the world outside the studio and with this I have done my part.

Can you talk about your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?

I'll bring two examples of processes that happened during work

In my early days as a painter, I used to start the paintings with strong intuitive brush strokes. But during the processing of the painting all the initial expression was lost. I set a goal not to lose this primalness but to preserve it. Indeed, setting the goal, thinking about it and focusing on it led me to succeed in preserving the initial intuition and developing it.

A second example concerns the embroideries. The embroideries are a new language that I developed from scratch. I started it almost by accident. I developed it without having any prior knowledge and experience and without being able to appreciate the artistic value. The lack of knowledge and the fact that I did not rely on anything existing led me to invent a new language.

Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?

Being a painter is a constant and monotonous routine, devoid of real highlights. The real successes are not exhibitions or awards, but the small miracles that happen in the studio, when I'm able to distill the essence of my work. Across the Universe (winning artwork) is that kind of miracle!

What projects are you working on currently?

I have been working on a large embroidery for over a year now, and there is still a lot of work ahead of me. I built a special loom so I could do the work. The image depicts vegetation that ray of light break the organic forms and bring it to abstract.

What is your dream project or piece you hope to accomplish?

I would like to increase the formats while perfecting my recurring themes and the ability to observe abstractly on realistic objects .

As a finalist, do you have any advice for artists who want to submit to awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?

Believe in yourself and keep trying!

Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists/photographers, what is your advice?

Turn down external voices, both negative and positive. At the same time, be attentive to constructive feedback. And finally - you know best what's right for your work.

To view more of Aviv Keller’s work

Website

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