Hebrew Surrealism is a term used to describe the work of a group of Jewish artists and writers who were active in the 1930s and 1940s and who were influenced by the Surrealist movement. Some of the key figures in Hebrew Surrealism include:
- Yosl Bergner: A painter and graphic artist who was a member of the “New Horizons” group. His work often depicted Jewish and Zionist themes, such as the Jewish pioneer in Palestine, in a surrealistic style.
- Avigdor Arikha: A painter and printmaker who was also a member of the “New Horizons” group. He was known for his use of strong colors and bold brushstrokes, and his work often depicted the human figure in surrealistic compositions.
- Moshe Gershuni: A painter, printmaker and sculptor who was part of the “New Horizons” group. His work often depicted human figures in dreamlike and surrealistic settings, often with an existentialist and psychological approach.
- Dov Gotto: A painter and writer, often associated with the “New Horizons” group, and known for his work that depicted the conflict between the individual and society using surrealist elements.
- Pessah Burstein: A painter and printmaker who was also a member of the “New Horizons” group, he created works that often depicted Jewish and Zionist themes in a surrealistic style
It’s important to note that Hebrew Surrealism was not a formal movement, but rather a loose association of artists who shared similar influences and themes, and while they were heavily influenced by Surrealism, they also drew on the specific cultural and political context of the time in Israel.