Barak Ravitz
Winner of Kiefer Scholarship 2007
The Ingeborg Bachmann Scholarship, founded by Anselm Kiefer, for the year 2007 is awarded to the artist Barak Ravitz.
Ravitz, born in 1982, graduated from the Art School – Midrash, Beit Berl College. During his studies and in the short time since completing them, this young artist has proven himself to be versatile, talented, and prolific. He works across a broad range of mediums, often utilizing everyday objects to create his minimal yet highly aesthetic works.
At first glance, Ravitz’s works appear simple, but closer inspection reveals sophistication, complexity, and humor. His works challenge accepted notions such as simplicity, “poverty of materials,” authenticity, locality, and patriotism. This reflects his thoughtful exploration of fundamental questions about the nature of art, including originality, the identity of the artist as creator, and the essence of “Israeliness.” These themes are addressed with a light, delicate touch, even as they engage with elements of Jewish cultural tradition.
Barak Ravitz has exhibited at the Helena Rubinstein Pavilion, Dvir Gallery, Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art, Noga Gallery of Contemporary Art, the Art Gallery at the University of Haifa, Minshar Art Gallery, the Rubin Museum, the Center for Contemporary Art in Tel Aviv, and the Cinematheque.