Dans La Presse

(Se) Faire plaisir: Beautiful Ceramics from Israel

January 15, 2015 4

Colorful Beaded Necklaces, Contemporary Ceramic Sculptures. 
Unique "Christmas/Chanukah" gifts, sculptured ceramic handbags, beaded paper mache necklaces, collectable contemporary art.
All items are handmade and hand painted.
My name is Gaia Kipnis Smith and I’m an artist specializing in color. I’m looking forward to welcome you in my shop and to share some of my creations with you.I was born and raised in a Kibbutz in Israel. I own a studio in Jerusalem, located in a historical, picturesque building overlooking view of the old city walls. I'm in love with colors, shapes, patterns and beautiful things.I've always been fascinated by objects. 
Things that without any words, express a whole story, a whole universe of the person that made them as well as the person that owned them. 
I've always been attracted to jewelery, old suitcases, chairs, handbags and vintage dresses. These inanimate objects always seemed to me to be so much more than just a functional thing. They seem to speak of an artist's spirit, love and inspiration. 
Colors as well have always been a great love of mine. Bursting bright colors that make you stop in your tracks and just stare with that blissful smile on you face! 
In my creations I try to combine these things into one whole. To express my love of color while making sculptures of objects and things that inspire me, that whisper their stories to me. 
Sitting in my studio in Jerusalem, my favorite thing is seeing people's faces light and up as they stop by the display window, smiling to themselves and peeking in to ask: "Did you make these...?"
Here in Israel, I am a member of a ceramic cooperative called "Altogether 8". We are a group of 11 top professional ceramic artists and together we run two galleries for contemporary ceramics, one in Jerusalem and one in the Tel Aviv/Jaffa flea market. 
If you're ever in Israel, please stop by and say hello!