HOME l LAND Brings Us Closer to Our Jewish Roots Through Art

Francine Birbragher-Rozencwaig, PhD

HOME l LAND, a unique art exhibition featuring works from over 40 modern and contemporary Israeli artists, was presented in Miami from November 14th to 17th with overwhelming success. As an art historian and independent curator, I was excited to see the works of well-known masters and to get acquainted with up-and-coming artists whose powerful works presented a unique view of Israel today.

Brilliantly organized and curated by art advisor Michelle Azout, the show fulfilled its mission to explore our connection to the Land of Israel, support Israeli artists, and combat current rises in antisemitism and antizionism through art and education. Furthermore, it allowed the local community to experience the rich and varied artistic production of those whose creations are inspired by our meaningful roots.

It is worth highlighting the presence of works by masters such as Menashe Kadishman (1932-2015), particularly the model of “Uprise,” a prominent public artwork located in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square, where families have gathered to demonstrate for the release of the hostages held in Gaza. Equally significant was the display of a sculpture by Daniel Kafri (1945-2024), considered one of the top master sculptures of the 20th century. Two abstract landscape paintings by Israeli American painter, performance, and installation artist Miriam Cabessa, winner of the 2022 Israeli Ministry of Culture Lifetime Achievement Award, literally took center stage as they were displayed in front of the stage where presentations took place throughout the week. A composition of several ballpoint pen drawings of local flowers on old maps by Esther Cohen, the artist who inspired Azout to make her idea of an exhibition of Israeli artists in Miami, was certainly one of the show's highlights. 

The contrasting seascapes and urban paintings by Iris Cintra and Boaz Noy, one of the three couples participating in the exhibition, drew much attention from the public, as did the paper-woven pieces by Carmel Ilan. Another couple was the one formed by graffiti artist Dede Bandaid and visual poet Nitzan Mintz, also known for their design of the Kidnapped posters and milk cartons produced after civilians were abducted from Israel into Gaza by Hamas on October 7th, 2023.

Four of the exhibiting artists were present and gave insightful talks as part of HOME l LAND’s program: acclaimed abstract artist Mindy Weisel, a second-generation Holocaust survivor; Ron Chen, whose intuitive drawing and impressionistic painting illustrated the exhibition's flyer; Marc Provisor, whose beautiful landscapes contrasted with his poignant experience as a professional terror expert; and Miami's own multimedia artist Amy Gelb who is an American-Israeli and whose photography and textile-based "Threading Home" series explores Israeli landscapes and their connections to Jewish history.  

Photography had a significant presence in the exhibition. A selection of vintage and contemporary prints by Robert Burroughs, Hagai Farago, Alex Farfuri, Ron Havilio, Mikael Levin, Yigal Pardo, and Rudi Weissenstein, was beautifully displayed throughout the gallery by photography curator Dina Mitrani, a member of HOME l LAND’s Host Committee. 

One of the most attractive works in the exhibition was Ronen Tanchum’s digital canvas featuring a colorful moving field of flowers, including the red kaliniot, the national flower of Israel, also present in numerous works in the exhibition as a symbol of resilience, possibility, and regrowth. 

The show also included works by Larry Abramson, Nir Adoni, Yehuda Armoni, Shai Azoulay, Leonid Balaklav, Na'ama Ben Moshe, Chen Chefetz, Melanie Daniel, Shana and Dan Benchetrit (DASHA), Orna Degani, Ken Goldman, Andres Gurwicz, Oren Kattan, Liliane Klapisch, Adam Leef, Joy Marinoff, Rotem Reshef, Tamar Rimon, Hilla Spitzer, and Shai Yehezkelli. Several pieces are still available and can be purchased at https://www.homelandartshow.com/art.

HOME l LAND’s diverse array of artistic expressions provided a multifaceted view of the landscape of Israel. The exhibition, organized by Michelle Azout in partnership with the Consulate General of Israel in Miami and Tikkun Now with the support of sponsors and a hard-working group of volunteers, achieved not only its original goals and brought together different groups within the local community to support our Jewish state.