Of course Tel Aviv boasts the well-known local art galleries with Israeli and international names to boot. But here are three under-the-radar, inspiring spots worth a gander.
Artemisia
Artist: Shachar Avnet
The White City is full of art galleries showcasing the best of Israeli and international talent. Artemisia gallery stands out from the rest due to their simple premise: they work only with female artists. Artemisia is the brainchild of mother-of-two, Limor Zohar Shavit. Leaving her career as a stylist, Limor turned to her husband Eli Edri — owner of the uber-cool Under 1,000 Gallery - to show her the way. Literally, as the galleries are only a stone’s throw apart. “I saw that there were many women artists who had no place to go. I wanted to help them, to direct them within the art world. Working with women is the greatest thing ever”. The gallery does not seek to define “feminine art,” but rather to welcome and support local female artists — showcasing more established artists as well as those freshly graduated. “Artemisia aspires to be a home and a family for creative women”. This is girl-power at its best: inclusive, forward-thinking, and executed in the best of tastes.
31 Abarbanel St, Tel Aviv (03-5745524, 054-6070803). @Artemisiagallery
LUMAS
LUMAS, a Berlin-based, worldwide home gallery chain that offers affordable art by creating a global community of artists, is coming to Tel Aviv! The curated selection of worldwide artists, who specialize in photography, digital art and contemporary design, will bring their works to the new gallery in the trendy Levontin area. LUMAS Tel Aviv will have the feel of an art collector’s home rather than a typical gallery, and pieces will be displayed in the Living Room, Kitchen and Library to give visitors a feel for how they might look in their own homes. By maintaining a close and ongoing working relationship with its artists and production partners, LUMAS is able to maintain high artistic standards, offer exclusive art, and provide helpful advice, all at relatively low prices. On top of that, the works are available as limited editions, usually with print runs of 75-150, enabling low prices and therefore fulfilling the LUMAS mission of allowing everyone the chance to purchase art.
Opens April 27 at 18 Mikve Israel St, Tel Aviv (03-6770448/lumas.com/galleries/tel-aviv)
Under 1,000 Gallery
© PR
Too often, artwork is a luxury that only the wealthy can afford. Eli Edri, owner of the Under 1,000 Gallery, fell victim to this whilst browsing for art to adorn the walls of his own home. “I looked in over 15 galleries, and most of them were very expensive. I started to recognise that it was a problem for the middle class to buy art.” Taking action, Edri approached Israeli artists, inquiring if there was a possibility that they would create art at affordable prices. “Every artist I spoke to said, “I have hundreds of works like that!’ That was the lightbulb moment.” The Under 1,000 Gallery showcases Israeli artworks, all for under $1,000, featuring over two hundred artists. It’s a funky space, arranged in a modern interpretation of a French Salon, located in south Tel Aviv. “The gallery is a big collage of Israeli art,” from street art to modern, on canvas, wood, concrete… you name it. You can be a cab driver, a lawyer, we don’t care, we only look for something special in your work.”
60 Abarbanel St, Florentine, Tel Aviv (03-6526061/under1000.co.il)