Three Israeli artists—Ronit Porat, an evacuated photographer working with archival materials; an emerging artist using shrapnel from rocket shells as art material while serving as an IDF reservist; and a young artist opening a new exhibition after a break—are profiled in this column by Basia Monkaj. Each answers three questions about inspiration, the definition of art, and what makes their work unique, set against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Israel and the centenary of Surrealism.
This article matters because it highlights how contemporary Israeli artists are creating and exhibiting under extreme duress—evacuation, military service, and wartime instability—while drawing on historical movements like Surrealism. It offers a personal, on-the-ground perspective on art’s resilience and its role as an escape and commentary during conflict, reflecting broader themes of creativity in crisis.