Lot 68: q - ASAD AZI B. 1955

signed and dated 92 on the reverse

61 3/4 by 42 1/2 in.<br><br>157 by 108cm

oil and mixed media on canvas

Tel Aviv, Artifact Gallery, Asad Azi, 1992

Nelly Aman Galley, Tel Aviv

Asad Azi, born in the Druze village of Shfaram in 1955, a graduate of Haifa and Tel Aviv universities, is the recipient of the 1990 Kolliner Prize for Young Israeli Artists.
Azi's work reflect an interest in the interplay of fine and low art, identity and cross culturalism, through his use of folk, oriental and western elements, often in ornamental collages. In this work one finds classical aspects in a 'ready made' image of Rembrandt's Jewish Bride combined with decorative elements from the Islamic tradition such as the coloured strings below. Modern 'pop' elements are also included for example with the word 'AHAVA' (which means love) written in the center of the work.

Intrigued by the subject of weddings and marriages, Asad Azi was fascinated by a photograph of his parent's wedding. Attired by the photographer at the studio, the same clothes were shared by many couples, no matter their background- Bedouin, Druze, Jewish. Coming upon Rembrandt's classical interpretation of a nuptial celebration, Azi was charmed by his embrace of the Jewish custom and chose to include it in his eclectic melding of high and low art, expressing a subtle statement on the multicultural confluences in life. "...Each of Azi's representations are emblematic - less expressive of an irreconcilable disjunction than an individualization that belies aesthetic ownership through an eclectic interplay of changeable identities. Like disguises, his non-hierarchical, multi-media melange of textiles, found objects, photographs, kitsch souvenirs and art reproductions are recontextualized, so that a Rembrandt image can rest comfortably next to a brush-like row of knitting yarn. Both lose the ego intimated by their histories and somehow function anonymously, like souvenirs on the quiet of memory.' (Maia Damianovic in "Border Crossings", Asad Azi, Ashdod, Museum Corinne Maman (exhibition catalogue), 1994-1995, p. 31).