Myriam Bat-Yosef (née Marion Hellerman, also known as María Jósefsdóttir; January 31, 1931 – October 8, 2023) was an Israeli-Icelandic artist. [1][2]
Early life and education
editBorn in Berlin, Bat-Yosef relocated to Jaffa, Palestine, in 1934 with her parents, Yosef, a Haganah member, and Godda Promnick, a beautician.[3] She moved to Paris with her mother following her father's death in 1936.[3] In 1942, she changed her name to Myriam Bat-Yosef, reflecting her Israeli heritage.[3] The outbreak of World War II led to their return to Tel Aviv.[3]
Bat-Yosef was educated at the Avni Institute of Art and Design in Tel Aviv and later at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.[3] She married the Icelandic artist Erró, which introduced her to Icelandic landscapes and further influenced her artistic style. She exhibited in Iceland under the name María Jósefsdóttir.[3]
Career
editHer professional career included exhibitions in various countries, notably a 1963 exhibition at the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavík.[3] Her marriage ended in 1964, after which she incorporated Hebrew themes into her artwork.[3] A notable exhibition of her work took place at the Sydow Gallery in Frankfurt in 1964, marking a significant post-war event for Israeli art in Germany.[3]
Her response to the Six-Day War in 1967 was showcased in a New York exhibition featuring painted sculptures and drawings.[3] In the 1970s, Bat-Yosef's work continued to evolve, with significant installations like "Hell and Paradise" at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem in 1971.[3]
Disillusioned with Israeli politics, Bat-Yosef resettled in Paris in 1980. Her work from this period, such as "Antiracism" (1980), is noted for its distinctive style and thematic content.[3] Her final major exhibition was "Désir" in 2018 at the Maison Nationale des Artistes, Nogent-sur-Marne.[3]
References
edit- ^ Stöver, Kathrin. "Bat-Yosef, Myriam". AKL Online. De Gruyter. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Andlát: Myriam Bat-Yosef" [Death: Myriam Bat-Yosef]. Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 15 October 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Wilson, Sarah (December 10, 2023). "Myriam Bat-Yosef obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January 2024.