The works presented in this exhibition of Udi Even, a member of Zik, were gathered from family, friends and people who bought his work over the years. The show is not chronological and abstains from categorizing or finding the meaning behind the works. The main purpose of the exhibition is to expose visitors to the work made by Udi Even – their beauty, sensuality and power.
The jars, the bowls, the large and small cups were all made to be part of life at home, in the kitchen, the yard, dining table –everyday life. Udi did not distinguish between “high” and “low” art – between art and craft. He worked on all levels – unraveling the borders with undefined categories. His work processes were experimental and he researched materials and new ways of approaching work. His wild personality was expressed in the way he worked, investigated and questioned. His last works, left in the middle are evidence to this: they were made on a wheel that was hung upside down from the ceiling of his studio to experience throwing clay with the force of gravity.
In another unusual experiment, Udi mixed seeds in the clay that he excavated in the Negev and created a large “puddle” of clay. During the exhibition the seeds began growing – emphasizing the internal growth and that the final stage of the pot is not the final stage of its development. The handles of his large pots (made with Yuval Rimon) were cows or buck – reminding one of nature in the wild – as well as other artistic dialogues he had with artists such as Dedi Ben Shaul. The installation of 1000 bowls (made with Oded Adamov) together created a sculptural work installed in metal beams and railway tracks – an installation contrasting multiples and minimalism. Another experimental project “Homeland Lesson” – made with Sharon Keren, dealt with the image of the map of Israel, made from local clay – cracked and disintegrating (2000).
Udi was at the height of his personal and artistic creativity when he suddenly died at the age of 44. The exhibition includes 4 tributes to his memory, a work by Maya Muchavsky Parnas inspired by the “growing pot”, a work by his colleagues from Zik (on the roof), a photographic tribute to him by his sister, Anat Even the director, (the film “After the End”), and the ceramic works made by his son, Itamar, who continues his legacy, a potter and maker.
Tamara Rickman
Curator
