Renowned Israeli sculptor Yaacov Dorchin, recipient of the 2004 Emet Prize and the 2011 Israel Prize for Visual Arts, opened his latest exhibition "Decapitated Fish and Additional Sculptures" at the Gordon Gallery in Tel Aviv on March 12, 2026—his 80th birthday and two weeks into the war with Iran. The exhibition, held without a large opening night due to the conflict, features about 15 sculptures spanning from 1993 to the present, including works in iron, steel, basalt, and other industrial materials. In an interview interrupted by an air raid siren, Dorchin discussed his approach to sculpting, the lyrical names of his heavy works, and how he reorganized the exhibition to create dialogues between older and newer pieces.
This article matters because it captures the resilience of the Israeli art world during wartime, highlighting how a major artist continues to create and exhibit despite ongoing conflict. Dorchin's career—spanning decades, including representation at the Venice Biennale and works in major Israeli museums—underscores the enduring power of sculpture as a medium for reflection and cultural continuity. The interview also provides rare insight into Dorchin's creative process and his deliberate departure from conventional exhibition planning, offering a personal perspective on art-making under extraordinary circumstances.