David Gerstein – 40 years of worldwide success, from New York to Singapore. This artist created a series of works entitled “Sculpted Figures” in the early 1970s. He works with wood, bronze and metal in a traditional way, three-dimensionally, with a unique style that is characterized by his playful way of working with his motifs. His hand-painted, colourful works are full of humour and try to describe daily, modern, urban life. By combining several layers, a three-dimensional layered sculpture emerges from the two-dimensional elements, which, depending on the angle of view, always reveals different details.
Very early on he was fascinated by the material metal. In addition to his well-known wall sculptures made of metal, Gerstein’s work includes smaller objects, paintings, graphics and huge sculptures and objects in public places. For example, children in Jerusalem enjoy his art in the form of a playground in Park Weil.
He completed his art studies between 1965 and 1970 in Israel (Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem), France (École des Beaux-Arts, Paris), USA (Art Students League of New York) and England (St. Martins School of Art, London), where he also received his doctorate.
In his multi-layered works, the border between the two-dimensionality of painting and the three-dimensionality of sculpture becomes blurred. His works captivate above all through their vivid colours. Most frequently, the human being in motion is the central theme of his sculptures and objects. But nature and urbanity also play a major role in his work. His works are influenced both biographically and by the environment in his home town.
1944 Born in Jerusalem
1965-66 Studied at the Bezalel Academy, Jerusalem
1966-68 Studied at the Ecole Supérieure des Beaux Arts, Paris
1968-70 Studied at the Arts Students League, New York
1973-74 Post graduate studies at St. Martin’s School of Art, London
1971-85 Senior Lecturer at the Bezalel Academy, Jerusalem
Selected Public Projects:
1999 Homage to Alterman, Dizingoff Street, Tel Aviv
2000 Audience, Jerusalem Theater, Jerusalem
2001 “Day and Night”, Bezeq Lobby, Azrieli Center, Tel Aviv.
2001 “Colors from Nature”, Horev Center, Haifa.
2001 “Things that come from the Heart” (sculptures), Ramat Alon Park, Haifa.
2002 “Soul Bird”, Holon.
2002 “Digital Zabar”, Waddi Nisnass, Haifa.
2002 “No Favorite Color”, 3 months Installation, Kassel, Germany.
2002 “Shalom On Israel”, Rabin Building, Judaism Center, Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
2003 “Blue Mermaid”, Kiryat Yam, Haifa.
2003 “Rush Hour”, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
2005 “Sun Rise” High School, Ashkelon, Israel
2005 “Butterflies”, Harel, High School, Mevaseret, Israel
2007 “Ohel Moed”, Sculpture Park, kibbutz Hatzerim, negev, Israel
2008 “Momentum” CBD, Singapore
2008 “Star City”, Seoul, Korea
2008 “Field of Butterflies” Loby of “Beit Reich”, Tel AViv, Israel
2008 6 sculptures (“Sport Island”), Netania, Israel
2011 Hyundai Department Store, Seoul,S.Korea – Outdoor Printed Screens around the renovated ruilding, 60×300 meter
2014 Hsinchu County Stadium
2014 3 public art works – Loby of Taikang Residence of Elderly People, Beijing, China
2015 “Presence-Present”, Gerstein / Alana Ruben, Jerusalem Biannale of Contemporary Jewish Art
2014 3 Free Standing Sculptures for Athletic Stadium, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Public Project
2014 2 Wall Sculptures for Lobby at Azriely Center, Holon, Israel, Public Project
2014 Award by the international commitee of the olimpic games
2016 Special gift given to the Pope Franciskus by the artist
2016 “Windows” – 4 sculptures in Modiin, Israel
2017 5 sculptures in National Park, Guizhou, China
2017 “Journey Through My Gardens” – Loby of Taikang’s Residence, Beijing, China
Selected Solo Shows since 2015:
2015 Galerie Dárt Perbet, Annecy, France
2015 The Sherover Cultural Center (YES Planet), Jerusalem, Israel
2015 Galerie Monmartre, Paris, France
2015 Permanent Show, Binyaney Hauma, Jerusalem, Israel
2015 Miva Gallery, Stockholm
2016 Shenzen Mixc
2016 Radesky Gallery, Liege, Belgium
2016 Gana Gallery, Busan, S. Korea
2016 Vera International Art Festival, Lisbon, Portugal
2016 Galeria D`Art Mar, Barcelona
2017 Kellerman Gallery, Dusseldorf, Germany
2017 Khpopulous Gallery, Mykonos, Greece
2018 “LAYERS” – Froots Gallery at 978 Beijing, China
2018 Galerie Duret, Paris, Brussels, France
2019 “SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL” – Froots Gallery, Shanghai, China
2019 “BACK & FORTH” – Miva Gallery, Gothenburg / Malmö, Sweden
2019 Belle Gallery, Denmark
2019 “Colors of Joy” Art true gallery,Taipei & Tainan Taiwan
2019 ”Joy of Life” Jingdezhen ,China
2019 “Levinsky college of education,Tel Aviv ,Israel
2020 “U Turn” artists house ,Tel Aviv ,Israel
2020 Duret gallery,Paris, France & Brussels Belgium,
2021 Diyuan Museum of art, Ginkgo, China,
2021 Asir Museum of art, Taipei, Taiwan
2021 Chuzot Hayotser ,Jerusalem, Israel
2022 “Such & Such” Lushy gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel