about

Tom Shmueli | Biography

Tom Shmueli, born in Israel in 1983, lives in Nirit with his wife and their three children, and creates in a studio in Moshav Hagor.

He studied sculpture and drawing in the 'Instructing Artist' track at the School of Art at Sapir Academic College (2008-2009). He also studied goldsmithing at the Institute of Arts at Tel Hai Academic College (2012-2014).

Graduate of various courses in the fields of pottery, drawing, sculpture and printmaking, in-depth study with printmaking expert Arik Kalfon, studied and worked as an assistant to the sculptor Emmanuel Hatzofe in Jaffa and trained with the sculptor Doron Efrat, with whom he joined in establishing the gallery and sculpture garden 'The Twelve Point' in Moshav Sde Zvi.

He presented his first solo exhibition, 'Part', at the Salon Gallery in Masaryk village in 2009, on which it was written, "To the observer, it seems that Shmueli treats the creation of his hands as if it were the most urgent and necessary thing that can and should be done..." (Karney Am-Ad, Kibbutz newspaper). This exhibition symbolizes a breakthrough and consolidation in Shmueli's artistic work, since which he has created and exhibited in various galleries in Israel and around the world, and is regularly invited by the art collector 'Pano Brockmann' to create in Oldenburg, Germany, as part of a residency program there.

After a long period of research and development, Shmueli created a revolution in his sculptural language in iron in the sculpture exhibition at the "Gam Gallery" gallery in Tel Aviv in 2011, where his works were purchased by art collectors and his artistic connections in Germany were opened. He also created and presented solo exhibitions with a new body of work at the "Question Mark" gallery in Amir (2017) and at the Machaneyim Gallery in Machaneyim (2018).

Shmueli was supported by an artist residency for creation at Beit Khan - the Art and Crafts Center in Kiryat Shmona (2013), an artist residency and creation of an environmental sculpture as part of the Karmiel Symposium in the Galilee Park in Karmiel (2013), and support from the "Between Earth and Heaven" Foundation (2014-2015).

Over the years, Shmueli has been involved in education and teaching art and creativity in schools and colleges, including: a workshop for therapy and art work for members of 'Together in Galilee' in Kibbutz Machanim; Magshim School in Ramla - an elementary school for special children with disabilities; an instructor at Tel Hai College for teaching art to people with mild disabilities; an instructor of courses in drawing, sculpture and integrated visual art, and more.

Today, Shmueli is an artist who creates in a studio for artistic works mainly in the technique of iron cutting and also artistic printing and owns a business that sells his works. His flagship project these days is the creation of "Vahavat" - a work that arose from him and was connected to the events of October 7, which he sells in Israel and abroad and also donates to bereaved families and war victims. An essential part of the creation of "Vahavat" is the ethical and social aspect of the work, Shmueli creates collaborations with families to create various environmental and social projects.

At the same time, Shmueli also continues to work in the field of art education as a carpentry teacher in schools and in establishing educational projects in the field of art and creativity.

Shmueli's works - sculptures, prints and drawings, have been purchased throughout his creative years by art enthusiasts and international art collectors and are exhibited in various galleries in Israel and around the world.

Tom Shmueli | Artist Statement

- What is the artistic work for me -

Creating art helps me express and "speak" what is happening inside my soul accurately.

In fact, I share myself and my environment with what is happening inside me, in the encounter with my environment (still, growing, living and speaking) and with others. About the whole variety of emotions - in the productions and in the joy, in the pain, in the hatred and in the love and more...

As an artist, I feel that part of my mission is simply to artistically bring things out of my private sphere into the human community, of which I am also a part. But only when it is clear to me that it will add good and healing to the world.

In my work, I express inner experiences from every piece of paper, stone, piece of rusty iron, pure gold, or earth, allowing them to retain their unique natural power.

- What are the materials and techniques I work with -

I create mainly with iron in a variety of ways. In addition: cutting, shearing, drawing, art printmaking, woodcuts, using sewing as drawing.

I really like shadow theater.

- What are my works about -

My works stem mainly from observing myself and my life.

A concern with the human soul and body, and a person's relationship to himself as a mirror to his fellow man.

The Jewish bookcase and the Bible inspire me greatly and nourish me and my creativity.

- The rust in my works -

Rusty iron appears a lot in my works. Rust connects me to nature. The material breathes - decay, disintegration, and most importantly, it symbolizes for me rebirth and growth from this peeling.

- What am I creating these days -

The creation of 'And Love': This is a work that arose from and was created by me as a reminder and compass for myself, and due to the hatred of the brothers that raged here even before October 7th.

The work continued to take shape after a visit to the site of the burned and rusted cars in the Gaza Envelope, and inspired by many stories I heard about the selfless acts of love that were done there under the inferno. The work wants to remind us to act and do good deeds of love for ourselves and our loved ones inside our homes right now, and not wait for another such inferno to act. And simply, to remind me and us to create love in our lives with selfless devotion, as something that saves lives and creates lives!

Similar to and further to the creation of 'Love', I also create letters and words in the Hebrew language using iron cutting.

In addition, I create dance characters in which I seek to express the body, physical and spiritual equilibrium, and renewed balance.