Q1. Tell us about your journey. What drew you towards plush art and thread work on canvas?

I took a break from my life and travelled for 2 years. During this time it was very clear how I enjoy making stuff with my hands. I fixed fabrics and added embroidery. I made a lampshade from a container. I was on the road, hence limited to small tools and materials I found around.

I learnt embroidery, wire work, drawing, writing, paper cutting and other skills. Sometimes I even got the chance to sell some of my work or make custom orders.

When I came back to Israel, I found it easiest to go on with embroidery in the fashion business. It wasn’t much. After a while a friend gave me her old Singer.

I used to find fabric on the streets and sew Puppets of objects (car, camera, telephone, tv etc).

Eventually it became a large part of my income and I could turn it into a business.

Sometimes I would use the black stitch to draw a symbol on a plush piece. (For example, drawing a flash sign on a camera). And then I thought, since I like to draw, maybe I could let go of the object and just draw on a piece of canvas.

So I started sewing and drawing my home and a tree and then a street light and then the neighbour’s house in one continuous line. I felt as if I’m telling a story that is developing as I sew. And I was very excited with both the outcome and the new language I developed.

Within a year or two, it became my main language. 

Q2. How is the experience of being an artist in Tel Aviv – the creative environment and how difficult or easy is it for an artist?

I grew up in Tel Aviv. It is my home and the my muse. I draw a lot of the city and city life. In that sense this extra alive, fast changing city gives me a lot of material and inspiration.

For selling and exhibiting art, Tel Aviv is by far the best place in Israel. But a few visits to Europe gave me the feeling that the culture over there is way more supportive and rewarding for artists. In Israel, art is more of a luxury or decoration, rather than soul and spirit conversation.

Q3. What message do you want your work to convey? Tell us something about Pashut and the philosophy behind it.

‘Pashut’ means simple or basic In Hebrew.

I think this is the main idea. I deeply feel simplicity is key for well-being.

I work with basic materials like canvas and threads. Nostalgic low technology of the sewing machine. My work may not be simple. But it hides nothing. It is clear and transparent how it was made. It is all out there.

I can relate this with the basic feeling that transparency and simplicity can make it much easier to live.