The 5th exhibition in the Nidbach 13 Series: Shira Zelwer

Shira Zelwer’s sculptor is one of the most likable and accessible art objects created in Israeli art in recent years. But from the moment the eye delay, the complexity of these sculptors is reveled, their existence as hybrid figures between the folkloristic and the elitist, the childish and the political, the social and the psychological. On the material level, they remind hand carved souvenirs while at the same time creating a dialogue with modern sculptors such as the works of Stephan Balkenhol. The childish character is emphasized but the powerfully sensitive use of the wax reminds historical precedent works of Medardo Rosso. This double status is the characteristic of all the allegedly simple works. The substance is the source of this doubling: this is an intimate sculpture, whose sources are autobiographical and concrete – and from this an argument is made for the position of an historical art. The prism of the works stitches Threshold Guards with Olpana girls, and in between the lines there is a reflection of economical gaps, Fashion statements, self definition and emotional frequencies; in other words, this is the history of private lives. (Roee Rosen, Curator)