ELLA ALTER - ARTIST MANIFESTO

My oeuvre is mainly autobiographical, akin to a dairy, in which events in my life find expression.

My early works consists of aggressive swabs of brush strokes on large formats in which a hidden or evasive form of a woman is manifest. Gradually the female form was abandoned and replaced by symbolic images.

The composition " Bone of Contention" began as a consequence of personal experiences expanding into universal issues with the DOG an allegory for both aspects. Similarly, the ensuing projects " Thin Crust " and " 1 out of 5" evolved from the personal to the comprehensive.

I choose to experiment in my work and seek new approaches which lead me to utilize a wide variety of materials and techniques. The core substance being obsolete planks and boards of wood, dismantled from cargo containers, echoing the wear and tear of voyages. In addition, materials such as tar, nails, screws, pins, shreds of fabrics, and the use of a pneumatic bolt driver tear into and wound the creations. To counterbalance and temper the harsh essence within the work, gold and silver leaves together with ornamental designs of flowers are embodied in these creations.

In past projects I sculptured, photographed, and depicted women`s handicraft by painting their work of embroidery, weaving and sewing.

However, now I am doing the actual handiwork and integrating it

Curriculum Vitae

Ella Alter resides and works in Haifa. She is a graduate of the Department of Art, Haifa University. Ella studied art at" The Midrash College, Kfar Saba and interior designing at the Wizo Haddasa Canada College in Haifa.

In the past Ella was involved in education, establishing and administrating the "Form and Tinge "Studio of Art for Adults.

Today, together with her various art projects and creations Ella manages "Museum Freaks " a group of art lovers which she has operated for many years, visiting museums, galleries and arranging personal encounters with artists throughout the country.

I addition, Ella gives lectures on a wide variety of subjects related to contemporary art.

Publications

"Doggy Hoy Biddi Bam-Bam".

(taken from a song by Matti Caspi)

What an ironic name for this series .

"The dog which, represents me, is wounded and hurt while the " Dog-God" is indifferent or bares teeth and snarls." Says Ella.

The Dog is - Me, Us, the Threateners even - God.... One of the paintings is called " God Fell Asleep On His Watch". In this project Ella grapples with questions of existence and survival in an attempt to confront and defy fear.

Even Man Needs

" Even Man Needs ……"

The selection of work called " Even Man Needs…..." was created following a process of mending.

At the heart of each one of the pieces in the series is a passage from the Midrash : "Every thing that was created in the six days of Creation needs mending' Mustard needs to be sweetened, the Lupin needs to be sweetened Wheat needs to be grinded and even man needs mending…..."

Thin Crust

Thin Crust is a creation based on photographs Ella took in Yellow Stone Park in the U.S.A where the crust of the earth is extremely thin resulting in perpetual eruptions of steam and lava .While the daily processes of destruction, combustion and death can be observed, the survivability of colorful patches of algae in such extreme conditions reflects the ability of life to endure and flourish.

The collage of photographs connected aggressively by pneumatic gun, creates the impression of surgical sutures held together temporarily ,concealing the chaos beneath. For the artist, this is a allegory of existence and of our lives in volatile Israel.

The Thread of Scarlet

The concept of the "Thread of Scarlet " which is prevalent in the Bible is the central narrative of these pieces, the backbone of correction and mending. It is a fundamental, an existing continuous baseline, a connecting cord, unifying thread of life, love, giving, hope and compassion.