Resilience and Renewal in Israel
1958-1991
David Labkovski in Israel 1958-1991 for exhibit1.mp4David Labkovski Project Executive Director and the artist's great-niece, Leora Raikin, describes Labkovski's life in Israel.
Resilience 1.m4aPress play for an audio version of the text.
In 1958, Labkovski immigrated to Israel. He spent his remaining decades unleashing all of his emotions through his work. He wanted the collection to be used to bear witness, so he refused to sell much of his artwork. Over time, Labkovski’s work begins to reflect a renewed sense of hope in humanity. His colors become brighter, and his subjects become landscapes and still-lifes.
Cityscapes in Israel
ashley.mp4Labkovski’s renewed sense of hope in humanity is displayed through the change of subject and color in his work. Becoming much more vibrant and optimistic than in previous works.
Mikaela.mp4A year after Labkovski´s arrival in Israel, he held an art exhibition. His work was critically well-received, but the public did not want to be reminded of the ‘world that was’.
In 1988, a museum of Labkovski’s work opened in Ramat Gan, Israel. He ¨felt like King¨ at the opening.
Later in David’s life Esther Hautzig, a survivor from Vilna, talked to David about buying a painting and exchanged memories of their now-distant home. As they reminisce and grew closer, Esther was invited to view his oil paintings, describing them as “dazzling” and “striking,” saying “A vanished world, come to life in brilliant color tucked away in a studio high in the hills of Safed seen at that time by few, appreciated by almost no one.”
David and Rivka at David's first museum showing.
Still-Lifes
Oct 17, 2021 at 10:30 AM
“How does one rid oneself of something buried far within: memory and the skin of memory.”
Delbo, Charlotte. Voices. Art from the ashes: A Holocaust anthology, edited by Lawrence L. Langer, Oxford University Press, New York. .p. 77.
Rebecca.mp4