Itamar Yehiel (IL, 1984)

Embroidery is a global and ancient craft that was always used as a platform for storytelling. Women who had no other form of expression brought their cultural and personal stories to the fabrics, using only needle and thread. For a decade I explored different continents and countries and was always fascinated by the local and traditional crafts. As a self-taught artist, I use this ancient and international language to tell new stories, both personal and global, cultural and emotional.  

My three-dimensional interpretations of natural objects lean on a craft that has been used for thousands of years. Yet I aspire to release it from the two-dimensional fabric, give it volume and offer a contemporary voice. Freehand machine embroidery and hand stitching enable me to propose a fresh perspective on embroidery, as well as a new portrayal of natural motifs. By using carefully thought-out framing and creating an illusion of hovering, I amplify the tension between the ancient craft and the contemporary creations, while arousing intrigue and curiosity.  

I am interested in exploring contradictions and paradoxes. The tension between realism and illusion, organic and artificial, temporary and eternal are all part of my artistic expression. Those come to life through objects from nature. Just like embroidery, nature is a global language. It relates to all individuals and cultures and I use its vast variety of objects, colors, shapes and textures as a language to portray emotions and stories.