About Me
Artist Statement
Amili Gelbman
My artistic journey is an ongoing process of weaving line, mark, and constant exploration of materials, accompanied by video documentation. The starting point in my works is often rooted in fragmented narratives and multi-layered memories that rise and surface.
My work develops through the encounter between personal and collective histories, repeatedly engaging with the body, identity, perceptions of time, and the delicate tension between presence and disappearance.
I draw inspiration from the world around me and often respond to contemporary events — among them the repercussions of October 7th, which deeply affect our lives and local culture.
My creative process often begins with intuitive drawing, where line and mark lay the foundations of the composition. From there, I explore the material — sometimes through layers of paint placed one on top of the other, observing how they merge or collide. In my works, I examine the portrait as a tool for expressing identity and emotion. I use ink and charcoal to create drawings that are both intense and soft. Additionally, I combine diverse techniques to create series of works reflecting repetition and consistency in certain motifs, alongside allowing room for variation and deep exploration.
The combination of materials — including sometimes readymade objects — enables me to create different textures and depths, expressing the sensations embedded in the material itself.
At times, I incorporate references to biblical texts, which add another layer of meaning and depth to the work.
Through artist residencies and personal journeys — from Israel, through Europe, the United States and Canada, and up to India — I maintain an ongoing dialogue with diverse cultural and material influences. Gathering materials, observing landscapes and people, and absorbing new experiences serve as sources of inspiration and nourish the processes in the studio.
For me, art is a space of absorption and inner reflection — a way of listening to the surrounding world in its complexity and layers. It is an intuitive approach to experiencing reality, through direct contact with material and presence. I operate from the understanding that contemporary art is a tool for exploring and expressing an ever-changing reality.
Selected Articles on My Work
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2024 (Nov) – "Allegory and Symbols: An Inner Journey", New Exhibition Art Magazine article , article2
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2023 – Vienna, by Nurit Tal-Tenne, The Moon Floats Over the Mountain, article
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2018 – Naples, by Rachel Ben-Menahem, Journey into Art in a Foreign City, article
Since 1996 – Art instruction studies and professional development:
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Visual Art and Painting (1996–98, Batya Elisha)
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Art Therapy in Painting (1997–99, Amram Suttler)
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Photography (1999, Smadar Goren)
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Color and Material (1998, Nahum Hess)
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Drawing (2000, Harold Rubin)
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Art Therapy, “The Junkyard” (2000, Malka Haas)
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Didactics and Art History (1997–99, Atalia Helman)
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Ceramics (1999, Yafa Tsari)
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Art History Seminars (1998, Gideon Ofrat)
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Anthroposophy Studies (2000–2002): Anthroposophical Education, Color as Healing, Art-Oriented Psychotherapy
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Art Therapy and Philosophy(2024) (Jonathan Hirschfeld)
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Grants & Support
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• 2012 – International Symposium, Walchshof, Austria; group project & residency, supported by the Municipality of Graz (catalog included).
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• 2011 – Leaving the Light On (Project #20), Hovinkartano Art Center, Finland; exhibition, group project & residency, supported by the Embassy of Israel in Finland (catalog included).
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• 2010 (Jan) – White Smoke 2, Beit Jann, Israel; cultural integration project supported by the local village council.
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• 2009 – Identity Cards, Wakefield, UK; group project with local artists, supported by the Embassy of Israel in the UK (catalog included).
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• 2008 (Sept) – Six Directions exhibition, University of Maryland Art Gallery, USA; supported by the University of Maryland.
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• 2000 – The Waters artists’ project, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Minneapolis, USA; supported by the Embassy of Israel in Washington and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
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2025 August- Lisbon, Portugal- “Diorama of Memory”- Artistic Journey, series of artworks
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2025 May- Lisbon “Soul Bird in the Drawers of Memory” –artistic journey series of artworks
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2024 – "Personal Portrait in a Gray Zone", Aba Khoushy House – The Gallery for New Art, Haifa; catalog and essay included; curator: Itzik Kochavi
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2020 – Art People & Me – Art Museum for Media Art
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2019 – "Art Journey", Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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2018 – "Art Journey", Sibiu, Romania
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2017 – Kotlarska Art Gallery, Wrocław, Poland
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2013 – Solo exhibition, Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, Nova Scotia, Canada
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2012 – Gallery 23, Center for Contemporary Art La Medicina dei Cristi, Tuscany, Italy; catalog included
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2010 – Hovinkartano Art Center, Finland; catalog included
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2008 – "The Core", solo exhibition at the Gallery for Contemporary Art, Wakefield Art House, England; catalog included
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2002 – Art Gallery, Kibbutz Yagur, Israel
Collections in Galleries and Institutions
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2015 – Works from the Leaf Series are part of the collection of Artfein – Kunstleben Gallery, Berlin, as part of an art project.
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2012 – Participation in the international symposium "1. Künstlersymposium Voitsberg 2012 – Erde – EARTH", held in Voitsberg, Austria, with the support of the City of Graz. The symposium was initiated by Christine Katz, Mag. Evelyne Oswald, and Karin Schalk, and included artists from various countries. Amili Gelbman’s works were featured in the printed catalog and became part of the municipal art collection of the City of Graz.
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2000 – Works exhibited as part of "The Waters", a project organized by the Israeli Representation in Milwaukee, USA.
Selected Group Exhibitions
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2024 – “Standard Mark – Law in Art”, Museum of the Courts, Tel Aviv (Curator: Orna Yair)
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2024 – “Colors of the Rainbow”, Gallery at Megiddo Cultural Center (Curator: Yasmin Rothman)
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2024 – “To Kill a Sacred Deer”, Gallery Q, Tel Aviv (Curator: Ilan Moyal)
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2023 – Tribute to Meir Ariel, Beit Gavriel (Curators: Itzik Kochavi and Ronit Halfon)
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2020–ongoing – New works on view at the Art People & Me – Media Art Museum
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2017 – Museum of Ecology, Lleida, Spain
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2011 – Sommer Gallery, Tel Aviv (Project Room, artist book)
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2008 – Group exhibition in Holon (Curator: Doron Polak)
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2006 – “The Shadow”, Stuvik Gallery, Ramat Gan (Curator: Tali Stuvik)
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2001 – Israel Association of Painters and Sculptors – Chagall Artists’ House, Haifa
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2000 – J.C.C. Milwaukee, USA
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1999 – Kinneret Academic College
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1999 – Beit Gavriel, Zemach
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1998 – Israel Association of Painters and Sculptors – Chagall Artists’ House, Haifa
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1998 – Yad Labanim, Kibbutz Afikim
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1997 – Uri and Rami Nehoshtan Museum, Ashdot Ya’akov
Selected Curated and Co-Curated Group Exhibitions (2007–2014)
Between 2007 and 2014, Amili Gelbman curated and accompanied group exhibitions addressing themes of identity, memory, and society, presented in Israel and abroad. Selected examples include:
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2012 – “The Inner Dialogue”, Project No. 23, La Medicina dei Cristi, Tuscany, Italy. Included a printed catalogue. (Curator and participating artist)
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2011 – “Portrait of Time”, Project No. 22, Municipal Gallery of Tondela, Portugal. Included a printed catalogue. (Curator and participating artist)
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2009 – “Forbidden?”, Efrat Gallery, Gordon, Tel Aviv. (Co-curator with Tzipora Efrat and participating artist)
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2008 – “White Smoke”, Tiltan College of Visual Design and Communication, Haifa, as part of the "Holiday of Holidays" festival. (Curator and participating artist)
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2008 – “Six Directions”, University of Maryland, USA – as part of an international academic conference on education, initiated by Prof. Zamira Mavrakh, Bar-Ilan University. (Curator and participating artist)
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2008 – “Shields of David”, Sokolov House of Journalists, Tel Aviv, in collaboration with researcher Ze’ev Barkan. (Curator and participating artist)
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2007 – “Identity Cards”, Efrat Gallery, Gordon, Tel Aviv. (Co-curator with Tzipora Efrat and participating artist)
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2007 – Jaffa Museum of Antiquities, Old Jaffa – exhibition initiated by curators Freddy Fabian and Esther Shlomo, in collaboration with the Old Jaffa Development Company and Tel Aviv–Jaffa Municipality. (Associate curator and participating artist)
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2007 – The Yellow Submarine, Jerusalem. (Curator and participating artist)
Video Documentation of Selected Projects & Exhibitions
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2025 –"Diorama of Memory" | Lisbon
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Watch Video
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Video Art Exhibition, Amili Gelbman
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2025 – “The Soul Bird”
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Watch Video
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Video Art Exhibition, Amili Gelbman
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2025 – “A Small Angel with Auburn Hair”
Creative Dialogue: Amili Gelbman & Rachel Ben-Menahem
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2025 – “Threads of Memories”
Campolide Studio, Lisbon, Portugal
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2022 (May–June) – Residency Project: “Landscapes into the Soul”
Regency Artist Residency, Hungary
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2022 – International Exhibition
ArtPeople-andMe Art Museum
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2020 (August) – “Corona in My Studio”
Documentation from Amili Gelbman’s studio
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2020 – “Painting on a Very Big or Oversized Canvas”
Amili Gelbman shares tips for large-scale painting
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2019 – Project #29: “Mountains Beyond Metaphor”
Group Exhibition, Curator: Amili Gelbman
Chelsea Gallery, London
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2018 – “Journey Diary Art Books”
Artistic project by Amili Gelbman
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2017 – “In My Own Eyes” (בעיני עצמי)
Group Exhibition, Curator: Amili Gelbman
Beit Gabriel
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2016 (Sept) – “The Horse” (ה-פ-ר-ד-ס)
Paintings by Irit Halevi Bar-Noy
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2016 (27 June – 4 July) – “Mountains Beyond Metaphor”
Group Exhibition, Curator: Amili Gelbman
Chelsea Gallery, London
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2015 (13 Nov) – “What Will the Day Bring?” (מה ילד יום?)
Exhibition, Curator: Amili Gelbman
Beit Gabriel
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2015 – Berlin Art Project: “Wearing White”
Artist: Amili Gelbman
Gleis 17, Berlin
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2014 (April–May) – “All It Exists Is Only the Dream”
Project #27 – Artist Group “And I Couldn’t Say”
Ross Creek, Canada
Curated by Amili Gelbman
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2012 (March) – Project #23
La Macina di San Cresci, Greve in Chianti, Italy
Curator & Artist: Amili Gelbman
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2011 (Nov) – Project #22
Town Hall Gallery, Tondela, Portugal
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2011 (Aug) – Project #20: “Diary Pieces”
The Art House, Wakefield, UK
Curated by Amili Gelbman
