exodus

The works of Raphael Abecassis are characterized by an integration between excellent technical performance, a refreshing and original combination of colors as well as clear and perfect compositions. Raphael uses these impressive means to obtain a nearly impossible aim. In other words, the restoration of a whole artistic tradition and paying tribute to our sources, but not through self effacing or self depreciation.

The scripts, the verses from the sources, the illustrated prayers and Independence Charter of the State of Israel which constitute the entire body of Raphael’s works in parchment, cut outs and colors, are tightly interconnected and breach over the gap between our forgotten artistic past and the present in which we are groping our way.

Raphael, when you have dedicated yourself to traditional subjects, you have paradoxically performed something bold, non-conformistic and unusual. You have undoubtedly succeeded in your way by virtue of your artistic talents, and thus you have contributed to all of us; the Israeli tradition, Israeli art and whoever cherishes the combination between the two.

1953 – Born in Marakesh, Morocco
1956 – Immigrated to Israel
1974-77 – Studied at Beersheva College of Education
1986 – Award for Independence Day Poster
1987 – Ministry of Education award for “Psalms of David” illuminated manuscripts
1987 – Illuminated text for President Chaim Herzog’s 40th year Independence Day presentation at the Wailing Wall.

The works of Raphael Abecassis are characterized by an integration between excellent technical performance, a refreshing and original combination of colors as well as clear and perfect compositions. Raphael uses these impressive means to obtain a nearly impossible aim. In other words, the restoration of a whole artistic tradition and paying tribute to our sources, but not through self effacing or self depreciation.

The scripts, the verses from the sources, the illustrated prayers and Independence Charter of the State of Israel which constitute the entire body of Raphael’s works in parchment, cut outs and colors, are tightly interconnected and breach over the gap between our forgotten artistic past and the present in which we are groping our way.

Raphael, when you have dedicated yourself to traditional subjects, you have paradoxically performed something bold, non-conformistic and unusual. You have undoubtedly succeeded in your way by virtue of your artistic talents, and thus you have contributed to all of us; the Israeli tradition, Israeli art and whoever cherishes the combination between the two.

1953 – Born in Marakesh, Morocco
1956 – Immigrated to Israel
1974-77 – Studied at Beersheva College of Education
1986 – Award for Independence Day Poster
1987 – Ministry of Education award for “Psalms of David” illuminated manuscripts
1987 – Illuminated text for President Chaim Herzog’s 40th year Independence Day presentation at the Wailing Wall.

The works of Raphael Abecassis are characterized by an integration between excellent technical performance, a refreshing and original combination of colors as well as clear and perfect compositions. Raphael uses these impressive means to obtain a nearly impossible aim. In other words, the restoration of a whole artistic tradition and paying tribute to our sources, but not through self effacing or self depreciation.

The scripts, the verses from the sources, the illustrated prayers and Independence Charter of the State of Israel which constitute the entire body of Raphael’s works in parchment, cut outs and colors, are tightly interconnected and breach over the gap between our forgotten artistic past and the present in which we are groping our way.

Raphael, when you have dedicated yourself to traditional subjects, you have paradoxically performed something bold, non-conformistic and unusual. You have undoubtedly succeeded in your way by virtue of your artistic talents, and thus you have contributed to all of us; the Israeli tradition, Israeli art and whoever cherishes the combination between the two.

1953 – Born in Marakesh, Morocco
1956 – Immigrated to Israel
1974-77 – Studied at Beersheva College of Education
1986 – Award for Independence Day Poster
1987 – Ministry of Education award for “Psalms of David” illuminated manuscripts
1987 – Illuminated text for President Chaim Herzog’s 40th year Independence Day presentation at the Wailing Wall.

“The Rabbis enumerated four kinds of sons: the wise, the wicked, the simple, and the one who does not even know how to ask. Each one should be told the story of the Exodus (of Passover) in a different manner.” Likewise, each generation presents its artists with different costumes for each of the sons. For example, medieval illustrations depicted the ‘wicked’ son as a murderous crusader, the early 20th century artist showed him as a Prussian officer. Weil has drawn from ancient and modern garb for his “Four Sons”.

Shraga Weil was born in Nitra, Czechoslovakia in 1918 to a family of teachers, journalists and merchants. His father, a building engineer, who was an amateur painter, sent him to study with a local sculptor and then to the Prague School of Art.

He produced his first graphic works during World War II, part of which he spent as a prisoner. After the war, Weil sailed for Israel on an illegal immigrant ship, eventually arriving in the new country in 1947 and becoming a member of Kibbutz Haogen, where he has been living ever since.

In 1954 Weil spent some time studying murals and graphic techniques at the Academie des Beaux Arts, Paris and Ravenna mosaics with Prof. Severinl.

Shraga Weil’s works have been exhibited in the United States, South America, Canada, Australia, France, the USSR, Switzerland, and in the International Exhibition of Graphic Arts, in Lugano. In 1959, Weil was awarded Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Art Prize.

Museums and Public Collections

Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
Boston Public Library
Israel Museum, Jerusalem
William Rockhill Nelson Gallery, Kansas City, MO
Fogg Museum, Harvard University
Los Angeles County Museum
Jewish Museum, New York
Philadephia Museum of Art
Joslyn Museum, Omaha, Nebraska
Judah Magnes Museum, Berkeley, CA