SHEMI, Calman, Mosaic from Holland, 1991
Calman Shemi, sculptor and painter, was born in Argentina in 1939. A graduate of the School of Sculpture and Ceramics in Mendoza, he was a student … [Read biography »]
Signed Calman Shemi (1939 - ), Unique Original Oil on Canvas, Mosaic from Holland, 1991  |
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| Artist: | Shemi, Calman (1939 - ) |
|---|---|
| Title: | Mosaic from Holland, 1991 |
| Medium: | Unique Original Oil on Canvas |
| Image Size: | 76 1/4 in x 52 1/2 in (193.7 cm x 133.4 cm) |
| Framed Size: | 78 1/4 in x 54 1/2 in (198.8 cm x 138.4 cm) |
| Signed: | Hand signed and dated by Calman Shemi (1939 - ) in black in the lower left recto and also on the verso: "1991 | 'Mosaic from Holland' | (variation) | Calman Shemi [sig.]" |
| Edition: | Unique, original painting |
| Condition: | This work is in good condition |
Price :Item# 2200 | $15,000 Happy New Year! To speak directly with the Director, Alex Adelman, please call (510) 777-9970 / 1-800-805-7060. |
| Description: | |
This work is a vibrant example of Shemi’s artistic effort to transplant a figurative world into passionately abstract art. In this case, the imagery of Dutch windmills explodes onto the canvas as Shemi uses wild gestures and colors to encompass the Dutch culture in a mosaic of life and strength. As one art historian put it, “Looking at Shemi’s works, we are admitted to a world where color runs delightfully riot”. Certainly this piece testifies to Shemi’s expertise in creating a painterly reality based in both the real world and one that exists apart from it. In this work Shemi indulges in a series of reds, pinks, blues, and yellows to express the movement and energy associated with Holland and its iconic windmills. His color sprawls across the canvas and yanks the viewer into a whirlwind of emotion, liveliness, and whimsical frenzy. In exploring a full color palette, Shemi expertly navigates between values to create an image that is powerful and pleasing. The resulting work is wild captivating improvisation of the visual finalities he set out to portray. Created in 1991, this unique, original painting is hand signed and dated by Calman Shemi (1939 – ) in the lower left: “Calman Shemi 91.” Also signed and dated on the verso: “1991 | ‘Mosaic from Holland’ | (variation) | Calman Shemi [sig.]” Catalogue Raisonné & COA: 1. A Masterworks Fine Art, Inc. Certificate of Authenticity accompanies this work. About the Framing: | |
Biography of Calman Shemi
Calman Shemi (1939 - )
Calman Shemi, sculptor and painter, was born in Argentina in 1939. A graduate of the School of Sculpture and Ceramics in Mendoza, he was a student of the Italian-Argentinean sculptor, Libero Badii, and the German-Israeli sculptor, Rudi Lehman.
In 1961 Shemi settled in Israel and joined Kibbutz Carmia of which he was a member for twenty years. There he worked in agriculture and also as a sculptor working with wood and clay. Several large-scale projects made of fiberglass and polyester are situated in various public buildings.
Though sculpture dominated his early years as an artist, Shemi developed the idea of the “soft painting” medium while living on the Kibbutz Carmia in 1977. Beginning with a color drawing done to scale, Shemi layers irregularly shaped pieces of variously textured and colored fabrics. Using a thread less 9000-needle sewing machine, the fabrics are meshed to one another and to the background, resulting in vibrant compositions infused with exuberant color and explosive movement.
In addition to his “soft paintings,” Calman Shemi has also created over 1200 prints and paintings for cabins and suites on board the “Sensation,” one of the Carnival Cruise Liners. His giant paintings also grace the walls of many public places aboard the ship as well as paintings and sculptures for another three liners from Carnival Cruise Lines; the “Elation,” which launched at the end of 1997, the “Paradise, which was launched in 1998, and the “Triumph,” which is still being built.
As many artists strive to challenge themselves with new artistic mediums, Calman Shemi has done just that by developing two unique techniques of painting; his “lacquer paintings” and “window paintings.
Lacquer Paintings
These special pieces are created using vibrant colors and are painted on a wood or metal panel that has been gilded with gold and /or silver leaf. After the paint has thoroughly dried, many layers of lacquer are applied to the surface giving it a glowing effect. Between each layer of lacquer the piece is hand polished to give the surface its very shiny look.
Window Paintings
This creative style of painting resembles an imaginative “shadow box” painting. Shemi first creates a painting inside a wooden box. After the painting is completed, he then attaches a hand made wooden frame to the box. This unusual technique creates an illusion of looking through a window to a landscape or room. The frame is then gilded with gold and /or silver leaf and is layered with many coats of lacquer. This special technique creates the contrast between the “outside level” and the painting within the deeper level.
Calman Shemi’s “lacquer” and “window” paintings are reminiscent of ancient techniques used to create art in Japan and China centuries ago. During the last eighteen years Shemi has held more than seventy one-man shows in the USA, Japan, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Israel. Today Shemi’s works can be seen in many public and private collections around the world.
