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 Orna Ben-Shoshan was born in 1956 in Kibbutz Yifaat, Israel .
In 1962 her family relocated to Arad , a new settlement in the Judea desert, where she spent most of her childhood.
Following her military service, in 1977, she moved to Tel Aviv, where she studied graphic design at a branch of the Technion University , and graduated in 1979. As a graphic artist, she worked at several design studios in Tel Aviv, including the well established agency - O.K. Advertising, where she participated in several major PR campaigns in 1980 and 1981. During this time, Orna also created pencil drawings and worked as an assistant to Jacob Katzman, a Tel Aviv artist.
In 1982, she moved to the U.S.A. Living in Lancaster , PA , Orna began to develop a new technique to express her ideas - mixed media on paper. These paintings were her first expression of social commentary in her artwork, mixed with a hint of surrealism. Her first works of this nature were exhibited in group shows and art fairs in PA and around the USA . The first gallery to represent her art was the “121 Studio Gallery” in Lancaster , where she held her first solo exhibition in 1983. While in PA, Orna studied the art of hand-pulled serigraphs with a local artist, Tom Ivory.
She subsequently returned to her previous medium of mixed-media, and her art delved more and more into surrealistic realm. Orna became a member of NH Art association, and exhibited her art in group exhibitions, as well as several solo exhibitions. A prominent one-person exhibition took place the Cowan Gallery in “The Parthenon” museum in Nashville , TN , in 1985.
In addition to her work as an artist, Orna embarked on a new path in life - holistic healing. Her study and occupation with the alternative disciplines and mysticism contributed to her vision on universal laws and gave depth to her expression as a surrealist artist.
In 1989, Orna moved to Lexington , Mass. Living in the vicinity of Boston , she became a member of the Copley Society, where she exhibited her works with other members at the large gallery on Newbury Street . She carried out several one-person exhibitions in that period - in Babson College , Salem State College, and at the Bak Gallery in Cambridge .
In 1993 Orna reached an impasse and took a year's hiatus from painting, and entered into the field of furniture design and decoration. Working with oil colors and experimenting with different techniques drew Orna to return to painting. In 1994, after making a decision to turn over a new leaf in her artistic career, she independently learned and mastered the skill of oil paint on canvas and began to develop the style of work she uses today.
Orna's new art was presented in galleries in Florida , Boston , and San Francisco .
At the end of 1996, she returned to Israel and settled in Ra'anana. Her first one-person exhibition in the “Tzavta” theatre in Tel Aviv received rave reviews. Orna continues to exhibit her art in numerous shows each year around Israel . In 1997 she participated in ArtExpo New York and in a group show in Cincinnati , Ohio . Later, she was represented by Galerie “C” International and Galerie Modus in Paris , and “Alexandra” Gallery in London . As a prominent Israeli artist, she participates in national art projects, and exhibits regularly at a large art festival which takes place yearly in Tel Aviv.
To compliment her large body of work, in 2001, Orna started to develop a new outlet for her creativity - digital art. A special selection of images is produced as limited edition prints on canvas. The giclee prints accompany her oil paintings in her exhibitions shown in galleries around Israel .
In addition to her career as a fine artist, Orna continues her work as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator. She works regularly with an Israeli book publishing company where she designs book covers and executes illustrations for different projects.
Additionally, she has worked on numerous textile collections with a leading Israeli textile designer.
Her continuous occupation with design and illustration influences her painting style and the ornamental elements are expressed in each painting she creates.
Orna has implemented her artwork and knowledge in the field of Kabbalah into a series of metaphysical, self-guidance divination products. The “72 Names” Cards, the "King Solomon Cards", the “Wheel of Wisdom”, artistic Kabbalah amulets, and more.
03/25/11 |
The 72 Names Of God |
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http://kabbalahinsights.com
www.ben-shoshan.com
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