Bend me, shape me

Israeli artist Gabi Benzano loves woman’s shapely form and this passion has spawned an extensive collection of paintings that capture the feminine beauty. But after years of creating conventional artwork using pencil and paintbrush, Benzano feels it’s time to break with convention and take a fresher approach to art. He’s replaced his brushes with metal wires.
His “neo-expressionist” exhibition titled “Passion” – on show at the National Gallery until Sunday – brings together a collection of more than 30 sensual images of nude men and women caught in intimate gestures: lounging around in bed, kissing, cuddling and making love. These images are made from metal wires to mimic the flowing bold lines that form the rough outlines of his images, making them feel like “incomplete figures”.
Hung against the whitewashed walls, his metal sculptures – skeletons of metal wires – look just like drawings. The female curves look sturdy, but tender and soft at the same time. By using steel cords with different diameters to create thin and thick lines, the artist is able to add dynamic movements to his art.
His sculptures are intentionally left incomplete to arouse the viewer’s imagination. Open spaces within his each of his works have the imagination running wild as the viewer visualises several forms. Benzano says he never expects viewers to ask him about the hidden concept of each creation. That, he adds, is up to each individual to figure out alone.
As an artist, Benzano has always tried to encourage people to think and analyse, believing that people should make more use of their intellectual and creative sides.
“Children these days have lost their creative and analytical skills. They are spoiled by instructions and descriptions. I don’t want to provide any descriptions about my works since people can think for themselves,” Benzano says, adding, “The role of artists is to display their viewpoint and to encourage people to think.”

 
Feeling the passion
“Passion” runs until Sunday at the National Gallery on Chao Fah Road. Find out more at  (02) 024 9237 or visit Bangkok.MFA.gov.il.