Painting through the ashes: Ronen Siman-Tov turns Jerusalem’s wounds into art - interview

Jerusalem artist Ronen Siman-Tov is set to open his solo exhibition, "The Dread of Isaac," at the Jerusalem Artists’ House, showcasing a rich body of work that intertwines landscape, myth, politics, and the enduring memory of his family's four-generation connection to the city. Siman-Tov, also an architect and lecturer at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, creates art on diverse materials like canvas, walls, paper, and sacks sourced from Jerusalem's Mahaneh Yehuda market, using a distinctive gray-pinkish palette.

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I am a believer.

His artistic practice explores the complex interplay between place, personal and collective memory, biblical narratives, and political realities. As an architecture educator, Siman-Tov focuses on fostering connections between people and their built environments. The exhibition's title, "The Dread of Isaac," is a wordplay on the Hebrew "Hapahad Yitzhak," which carries a double meaning: the deep fear associated with Isaac's near-sacrifice and a sense of "the fear will laugh," adding a layer of complex interpretation.

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Hapahad yitzhak” means the fear is going to laugh.

Siman-Tov describes his work as a reflection of his personal story and that of the Israeli nation, likening its cyclical nature to a phoenix rising from ashes, burning, and rising again. This theme of renewal and resilience is central to his artistic vision, as he grapples with the city's wounds and expresses a profound belief in repair through his art. The exhibition also touches upon his experiences, including his memories of the First Lebanon War, which significantly influenced his artistic direction.

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It’s my story, and it’s the story of our nation, our history, of the Jewish people and the Israeli people.