Artist casts new life outlook in bronze
ARTIST Simon Kessel tackles the joy of life and new generations in his first solo exhibition titled Dancing Nymphs.
LEXI LANDSMAN
THE birth of Simon Kessel’s four granddaughters ushered in a significant transition in his artistic practice.
The Melbourne-based artist went from artworks depicting Holocaust-based subject matter to the joys of life and new generations.
His latest offering, Dancing Nymphs, depicts a series of dancing nymphs, each bearing the name of one of his children or grandchildren.
Dancing Nymphs also marks his first-ever exhibition, which is currently on display at Kristian Pithie Art Gallery until October 3.
“I’m glad to be away from depicting Holocaust-based works; though cathartic, it’s very depressing,” explains Kessel, who lost family members in the Holocaust.
“Now if I create a Holocaust-based work, it will be from a different light. It’s about rebirth, showing that the Jews are alive and well, and we’re moving on.”
Kessel collects found objects -— dead twigs, old leaves and decaying pieces of wood -— but recycles them by creating simple human forms that are poised mid-dance. Each figure in Dancing Nymphs is mounted in a block of marble, depicting the ballerinas as young and free.
“The dancers have a lightness to them that captures free movement and expression, despite being cast in bronze,” he says.
It’s been a long journey for the 68-year-old Melbourne-based artist, who was only able to complete his formal art education at Monash University in his 50s.
Kessel, who was born in the Ukraine, arrived in Australia with his parents at the age of 10, having suffered in German refugee camps. The rest of his family perished in the Holocaust.
He achieved his bachelors degree in fine art with honours, and went on to a masters thesis on Monumental and Holocaust Sculptures.
A major piece linked to this thesis was a privately commissioned three-metre high Mlawa Memorial bronze sculpture.
“This was the antithesis of a tree of life, as the six branches symbolised six million Jews who died in the Holocaust, and bronze leaves were dedicated by relatives in memory of their families who perished,” Kessel explains.
“Only from darkness, can one appreciate light. There is a prayer of hope that man will be blessed to ‘see children born to his children’.”
Dancing Nymphs will run until October 3 at Kristian Pithie Art Gallery, 27 Gipps Street, Richmond. For more information www.simonkessel.com
comments