Artist Spotlight: Michelle Littauer Gavrielov

What or who inspired you to want to be an artist?

Both my father and grandfather were scientists but also keen photographers. My grandfather was also a bit of an artist and the families collected art, bought, saw, went to museums, etc. All of my siblings where doing art as a hobby.

My grandfather, Dr. Franz Shimon Littauer and my Dad Prof. Uriel Z. Littauer left me with all the art works from their archive. I had three art teachers during my teens that had a big impact on me: Rachel Shavit, today over 90 years old, and Noemi Smilansky, who taught me art history at high school and invited me to come to her studio and just paint. The last but not least was Sima Begedov whom I studied drawing with as a young girl for many years.

What was your creative journey that has brought you to where you are
in your career today?

I left my “day job” after 25 years. During all of that time, I was painting and studying all over the world (US, Italy, France). With the help and support of my girl power friends and family, I had my first exhibition in Ein Hod 8 years ago. I was accepted into a wonderful residency in ‘Mana Contemporary’ in New Jersey (ESKFF) and started spending half of my time in New York City, showing my work there and involving myself in the local artist community. At the same time, I rented a studio in Tel Aviv, and got involved in the art world there as well.

What creative project are you working on now?

Before Covid19 I started a new series that I called HUMANATURE – what is the relationship between man and animals/birds, then Greta Thunberg came along and BOOM, Covid 19. It all came together. I’m still working on this project in my studio.

What do you need as an artist today?

Like all artists, I’m not sure how things will evolve in the future, so I need to expand my network and the possibility of presenting my work to growing audiences, whether in the art world beyond.

Artist Spotlight: Michelle Littauer Gavrielov