Sheffer, Avital

First name: 
Avital
Initials: 
A.
Surname: 
Sheffer
Year of birth: 
1954
Birthplace: 
Tel Aviv
Country of birth: 
Israël
CV: 

Avital Sheffer is born in Tel Aviv (Israël) in 1954. In 1989 she received in Israel a diploma in classical homeopathy. Her practise as a ceramist was born after visiting the Dead Sea and viewing the dead sea scrolls. She arrived in Australia in 1990. In 2004 she receives a diploma in Ceramics from TAFE Lismore NSW. In the same year she has her first exhibition with other graduated students. Her hand-built vessels are finely pencilled with Middle Eastern inspired decorations. Her forms are contained and voluptuous, architectural and anthropomorphic, layered with details and meaning. Since 2004 Avital had been exhibiting extensively in Australia and the US. She was a finalist in numerous competitions and won several awards including the Josephine Ulrich prize for excellence at the Gold Coast international Ceramic Award in 2005 and The Border Art Prize in 2008 as well as two Australia Council Grants for New Work. Her work is represented in public collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the Sydney Powerhouse, Manly Art gallery & Museum and the Gold Coast City Art gallery, as well as corporate and private collections.

Avital Sheffer is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics.

Visit artists website: www.avitalsheffer.com

Pictures: Portrait (source AIC-IAC.org); Avital in het workshop (source website artist); Avital at work (source Zakay Studio and Gallery); three various objects.

Work of the artist: 

"My work is informed by an investigation of my Middle Eastern and Jewish heritage and an ongoing engagement with the landscape, architecture, languages and wisdom of that part of the world, and that way of being in the world. The world of antiquity, in its diversities and dichotomies, is a passion and an infinite source of inspiration. Ancient ceramics, glass, metal ware and calligraphy employ universal aesthetic principals yet reveal intimate aspects of human idiosyncrasies and needs that are relevant to the present. Living in Australia, absorbing influences of landscape and light offers a unique perspective from which I revaluate my complex heritage. I am interested in the frayed edges of mythologies and language, where dialogue and cross-fertilization between cultures takes place. Personal experiences of conflict, migration, dislocation and renewal intersect with the dilemmas between traditions and modernity (text: website artist).