Dr. Abraham Fisher | Impasto in Light and Color

IMPASTO IN LIGHT AND COLOR

Dr. Abraham Fisher; Painter and Scientist

Curator: Kobi Carmi

Abraham Fisher has a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from Tel Aviv Univ. and his research is focused on innovative treatment strategies on Alzheimer's disease. Art as self-expression is another characteristic attribute that stands at the heart of Abraham Fisher's works.  In art he finds expression to the discourse he wishes to introduce to his surroundings. Abraham has been dabbling in art from a young age, studying the principles of painting and various techniques for four years under the painter Hami Gal in Nahariya. In addition, Abraham studied in numerous workshops under several painters,  including Raffi Lavie.

Painting has been gaining a more prominent role in his life, as witnessed in the abundance of works touching all topics. The current exhibition at Montefiore focuses mostly on scenery, portraits, figures, nudes; some include representations of animals. His love of the sea shines in many of his pieces presented in this exhibit: people on the shore, fishermen – always with the figures as primary subjects and the sea as backdrop. Abraham has adopted a unique style that can be defined as "molecular art", in an analogy to molecular gastronomy: he utilizes various painting knives to plaster his oil paint on the canvas; his paintings appear as mosaics or tapestries. His style is reminiscent of Van Gogh, who almost sculpted with paint. Abraham works in impasto 3D style applying vivid and turbulent spackles of paint, reminiscent also of Monet's use of short brushstrokes on canvas. His style is lively and exuberant, combining the radiating spontaneity of the canvas with the Israeli light and color scheme he so deeply loves. The results are compositions that should be viewed from a distance, much like impressionist paintings – for only from afar does the full force of the piece shine through.

The current exhibit presents also Abraham's superb nude sketches. In only a few lines, he manages to capture the essence of the model. These works, created in nude-sketching workshops, are sketched in 20-minute periods and are then treated to a finishing touch in his studio. Some form the basis for his nude paintings, for instance "The Three Graces", a composition of nude sketches of three different models.

The exhibition also showcases several landscape paintings, their style leaning towards abstraction. They reveal a turbulent soul, expressed via emotive delivery of paint. The figures seem detached from their surroundings and their background, and transmit a sense of calm in contrast of the raging storm that surrounds them.

Kobi Carmi

Relevant Education

Scientist: Ph.D., Medicinal Chemistry; M.Sc., Organic Chemistry; B.Sc., Chemistry

Painter and curator: Paints over 55 years. Studied painting and drawing in private tutoring and painting workshops. he is a member of Holon's paiontes and sculptors association; he is curator (Shorashim Gallery, Tel Aviv).  Solo exhibitions: 1967, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem; 2008, Amalia Arbel Gallery, Tel Aviv; 2008, Beit Meirov Art House, Holon; 2011, Shorashim Gallery, Tel Aviv; 2016, Tiroche Gallery, Herzliya;  2017, Montefiore Gallery, Tel Aviv