Interview with Michal Avrech

Your artist statement reveals a unique approach where you liken painting to dreaming—utilizing fast, expressive brush strokes without preliminary planning. Could you delve deeper into how this intuitive methodology has developed and transformed over your career? What challenges have you encountered in preserving the spontaneity and raw emotion of your initial strokes as your artistic voice has evolved?

I paint with great speed, allowing a world of emotions and subconscious content to emerge through the creative process. My artwork is spontaneous by nature–the canvas is my blank space to express the deep currents and flow of life itself. This comes out sometimes through flowers, through nature, through shapes and movement, or through beauty or sadness. Some have told me that it seems as if I come to the canvas as a place to express the feelings of being an art therapist, as a mother, as a citizen of a country often at war. The spontaneity and raw emotion are naturally preserved, but also naturally evolve with time, when approaching a canvas from within the life circumstances that bring me there. This is why my artwork from the past year looks very different from previous years because now it includes the shattering, chaos, and the sadness of the past year in my country.

Given your dual roles as an artist and an art therapist, how do you delineate the influence of your therapeutic practice on your personal artistic expression? Are there specific moments or artworks where the intersection of these roles has led to significant shifts or breakthroughs in your creative process?

As an art therapist working with at-risk youth for many years, painting serves as a personal refuge for me. The vitality and energy of my quick brushstrokes and vibrant colors bring me joy, and I believe this optimism is conveyed to the viewer. My work with youth and families facing challenges has given me a broader perspective on life and a deep sense of gratitude, which I feel is reflected in my art. My role as an art therapist is to help my patients find points of light, hope, and vitality amidst the intense chaos. In the early stages of my career, I primarily painted landscapes, but over time, the themes I explore have become more emotional, directly connected to my therapeutic work.

For instance, at the Florence Biennale in 2023, which focused on embracing the other, I presented a painting titled "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself." In the exhibition catalog, I wrote about acceptance, partnership, and the desire for peace. These themes have grown more emotional over time, and my paintings have become increasingly abstract, with a direct connection to my role as a therapist. Just as I strive to bring hope to my clients and their families in my therapeutic work, I hope that my paintings offer a sense of optimism and hope to the viewer. This is the message I often receive from exhibition visitors and collectors. Engaging with universal themes like acceptance, unity, and peace has fostered personal and cross-cultural connections, and my paintings have been invited to exhibitions in countries such as Indonesia and Dubai. The sense of mission and purpose I feel as both an artist and an art therapist strengthens my commitment to continue creating.

Your works are celebrated for their vibrant abstractions rendered through an impressionistic lens, often infused with deep emotional and personal narratives. How do you manage the interplay between abstraction and realism, particularly when translating profound personal and emotional experiences onto a canvas that speaks to a diverse audience?

From an early age, I was drawn to museums, and my love for Impressionism took shape during those formative years. The play of light, the balance between abstraction and realistic touches—these elements captivated me and left a lasting impression that has stayed with me throughout my life. I find that the Impressionist style offers a profound emotional expression while also providing viewers with the opportunity to interpret the artwork through their own lens, connecting to their inner world and psychological layers, and seeing the piece from their unique perspective. Over the years, my paintings became a bit more abstract. I find that abstract paintings that incorporate realistic touches create a bridge to the viewer’s personal memories, often evoking memories and landscapes of actual past experiences of their inner and external worlds.

As an artist deeply influenced by the landscapes and cultural narratives of Israel, how do you transform these specific regional elements into a universally resonant artistic language? Could you elaborate on how your selection of colors and forms serves as a bridge between local experiences and global dialogues?

I believe the vibrant and bold color palette in my work reflects both a deep sense of joy and the influence of the Israeli climate, particularly the intense Mediterranean sunlight that illuminates the landscapes with such force. My abstract landscapes express universal experiences, allowing each viewer to interpret them through the lens of their own personal memories and connections to nature. This universality makes my work relatable to people across the globe.

Recently, I've been involved in several exhibitions in Israel that address our collective longing for the return of hostages, the trauma of war, and our shared desire for peace and cooperation. I’ve noticed that my color palette has shifted during this period, becoming darker, with more expressive brushstrokes. This change is a direct result of the personal turmoil that I, along with the rest of Israel, have experienced this past year.

In light of your focus on themes such as hope and vitality during challenging times, what is your perspective on the role of art in community healing and societal transformation? How do you assess the impact of your artistic endeavors within the communities you engage with, particularly through your art therapy initiatives?

In Israel, over the past year, there have been numerous initiatives—some supported by the state, others led by various NGOs, including the community of psychologists, social workers, and particularly art therapists and artists—to help displaced families, war survivors, and those affected by the conflict through art. These initiatives have taken place in hotels and kibbutzim, providing support to families from the north and south, to those physically and emotionally wounded, to survivors of the music festival, and to anyone in need.

Art serves as a healing tool, enabling individuals to process and make sense of painful emotions and traumatic experiences that are often too difficult to express in words. It offers a way to manage anxiety symptoms, empowering people by highlighting their strengths, boosting self-confidence, and fostering a sense of resilience and hope through the creative process. Art helps individuals connect to their inner resources, develop a sense of belonging, and build skills for coping with uncertainty and crisis.

In addition to individual therapeutic art spaces, some of these hotel settings for displaced families have also provided communal art spaces. Families and communities sometimes worked together, and the art facilitated a positive and accepting dialogue, creating an experience of supportive, nurturing community that enhances self-confidence, belonging, and mental well-being.

In my work as an art therapist at a residential facility for at-risk youth from across the country, many of whom face profound emotional difficulties and heightened anxieties due to the war, I see firsthand how art becomes a crucial tool for them. Through art, they can express and process their emotions and traumas, grow, and find strength and hope for the future. I feel incredibly privileged to work in such a meaningful field and in a role that has such a profound impact on these young people.

You have described engaging in your artistic practice both within the confines of your home studio and the expansiveness of outdoor settings in Northern Israel. How does each environment shape the artistic outcomes of your work? Are there specific elements or atmospheric conditions in these settings that pose unique challenges or provide unexpected inspirations?

The landscapes of Israel, where I have hiked since childhood with family and friends, are a profound source of inspiration for my work. I frequently photograph these landscapes and experiences, then paint them later in the comfort of my home studio, although I also paint directly in nature while on hikes with friends, giving the paintings an air of community, openness, and freshness. The work of the Impressionists, as well as various Israeli artists I've encountered during my museum visits since childhood, has also deeply influenced me, and I see their impact reflected in my paintings.

The vibrant illustrations of many renowned Israeli book illustrators have been a longtime love of mine, which led me to illustrate 10 children’s books after earning my first degree. The bold colors and playful lines of these illustrators shaped my approach to illustration, and their influence can still be seen in the lines and color palettes of my paintings today. The themes that preoccupy me as both a mother and a therapist are also evident in my work, especially my desire to inspire hope in myself and in my patients—a subject I will elaborate on further.

With a prolific presence in exhibitions across various continents, how do these thematic engagements influence your creative process? Do you find that the specific themes of exhibitions act as constraints or catalysts in the evolution of your artistic expression?

Over the years, I have been invited to exhibitions centered around abstract, emotional, and universal themes such as hope, optimism, and related subjects that resonate with me both as an individual and as a therapist. These universal themes naturally align with my personal and professional focus, and working on art around these topics has facilitated a deeper connection between the artist and therapist within me, allowing for personal and artistic growth.

Additionally, the exhibitions I’ve participated in globally, some of which I attended in person, have fostered meaningful and honest dialogue between artists from diverse backgrounds. These connections have created bonds between people from all corners of the world, and I feel that through my art and the conversations it sparks, there is a genuine sense of bringing people closer together. This has exposed me to different cultures and, in turn, has allowed others to engage with Israel in a more positive and open way. I see this as both a mission and an eye opening experience. Overall, working with themes from international exhibitions acts as a catalyst and inspiration for my work.

With critiques recognizing a strong stylistic cohesion in your artworks, identifying them as distinctly yours, how do you navigate the challenges of maintaining this unique artistic identity while also embracing evolution and experimentation with new ideas and techniques?

The vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes in my work, rooted in an Impressionistic style, have always been a defining feature of my art since my youth. I am an energetic and lively person, and these brushstrokes reflect my character, while the bright colors mirror the joy and vitality that I feel. However, over the years, through my studies and exposure to the broader world of art, my style has evolved to incorporate more abstraction, though there are still touches of realism, with landscapes and familiar forms visible. At times, my works become entirely abstract, incorporating symbolic representations that I explore further in my writings.

In light of the tragic events of October 7, 2023, and the ongoing war, the overwhelming sorrow and shock that we have all been experiencing this past year have profoundly influenced my art. My palette has darkened, and my brushstrokes have become even more expressive. My paintings now reflect the inner turmoil and grief that I, along with the people of Israel and the Jewish diaspora, am enduring. This shift in tone speaks to the collective pain we are all feeling, while still maintaining the essence of my artistic identity.

As you look to the future, what new themes or artistic techniques are you eager to explore? Are there upcoming collaborative projects or experimental endeavors that particularly excite you about the next stages of your artistic journey?

In the near future, I have two solo exhibitions scheduled, one in Tel Aviv and another in the United States. I will also be exhibiting my work in India, where I will participate in an international residency. Additionally, I will be part of a project in Germany, showcasing my art in several galleries alongside Israeli and German artists, under the sponsorship of the embassies. In the U.S., I will be involved in a project with Jewish and Israeli artists, which will include exhibitions, online gallery representation, and personal interviews focused on art.

I am open to collaborations with both galleries and the more business-oriented and industrial side of the art world. I also hope to expand into more commercial areas, such as creating prints and designs for hotels, and exploring other financially-driven opportunities, including partnerships with companies. I also aspire to secure representation in additional galleries.

Considering your successful career and your impactful work in art therapy, what kind of legacy do you aspire to create for future generations of artists and therapists? How do you approach the role of mentorship within the art community, particularly with regards to supporting and inspiring underprivileged youth?

I believe that art holds immense significance as a source of support and hope for at-risk youth, as well as for anyone facing challenges and seeking growth. The power of creation lies in fostering hope and in the therapeutic connection between therapist and patient. As a guide for young therapists and educational teams, and as part of a group of therapists at my workplace, I see this work as a true mission. For me, art serves as a refuge, especially during difficult times like the present. Participating in exhibitions both in Israel and abroad gives me strength and a sense of purpose.

It's important to me to engage in projects that address the hardships we’ve faced this past year, cultural initiatives that aim to commemorate, uplift, and boost the morale of the people. Additionally, I've increasingly felt the need to connect with Jewish art organizations around the world, such as Art Salon and The Star of Art, which not only promote art but also work to combat antisemitism. I’m also actively involved in the international community of women artists, as I believe it is my mission to represent the liberal, tolerant, humanistic, and multicultural side of Israel.

Website: https://www.art-michalavrech.com/
Instagram: michal.avrech
Linkdin: Michal Avrech
Facebook: Michal Avrech Art