|
Royi Akavia
Royi Akavia is a native of Israel and now lives in
Miami Beach, Florida. His fascination with MONEY, like so many of us, was
born out of necessity before it became an artistic expression. The
artist's obsession with MONEY resulted from a fire which engulfed his
artistic work, his worldly possessions and home. The irony of this tragedy
is that it provided Royi with the inspiration for his latest works.
Following the fire, Royi returned to his studio to find that the only
thing which survived the blaze was a one hundred bill which had been
preserved by a bottle of spilled varnish. He used the preserved currency
to buy food and shelter.
Today, Royi Akavia creates art with paper MONEY, seeing money as more than
just a commodity or a means of exchange. Money has universal significance,
history and appreciation. It may vary in size, color and value, but it is
- MONEY. He buys paper M0NEY from all over the world and uses it to
produce new images and address the many issues associated with MONEY.
Royi's concept, "he needs money to buy cheap money to paint on the money
to get more money."
The series of works that he calls "Faces that make MONEY" combines a
collage made of real MONEY with painting, drawing and layers of varnish.
On top of the collage, he paints in oil the realistic portraits of
contemporary people or outlines of their form. When the layering of MONEY
and painting or drawing is complete the work is burned with fire to create
a glasslike surface reminiscent of old-world craftsmanship. The portraits
from the MONEY and their modern overlay are made permanent and
non-negotiable. The modern subjects are people who have MONEY, make MONEY
and spend MONEY. The rich and famous from the worlds of finance and
fashion and cultural icons are situated atop the faces of world leaders.
As he burns the final arrangement, the fire destroys the MONEY and at the
same time assists in the creation of art with its own monetary value. The
process is slow, methodical and carefully calculated at every stage for
its aesthetic as well as conceptual significance.
Shows & Exibitions
MUSEUMS
1995
*Francisco Narvaez Museum Margrila Is. Venezuela
1993
*Miniature Museum, Reflex Gallery, Amsterdam, Holland
*Flagler Museum, Palm Beach, Florida
1992
*Jewish Museum. Rome, italy, ''The Menorah''
*King David Museum, Jerusalem, Israel. ''The Menorah''
*Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, Japan, ''The Menorah''
*Sezeon Museum. Tokyo, Japan. ''Tbe Menorah''
*Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art. Nagoya. Japan, ''The Menorah''
*Aspen Museum. Colorado, ''Ad=Money?''
1990
*Ritter Gallery. Florida Atlantic University. self portraits
ONE MAN SHOWS
1996
*Station of Art. Amsterdam. Holland
1995
*Marina Bay Hotel, Por Lamar Margarita, Venezuela
1994
*Brickel Club . for In Grove Magazlhe, Miami , F lorida
*Stuart Levy Gallery, SoHo, New York
1992
*Meisner Gallery. SoHo, New York,
''The Condom Tie Show'' to benefit The American Foundation For Aids Rearch
1991
*57th International Gallery, 57th St.. New York. ''Music''
1990
*57th International Gallery, 57th St.. New York. ''New Life''
*Artists Gallery, Green Point, Long Island, New York, ''New Life''
*Frankel Gallery, Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida, ''Silence''
SPECIAL EVENTS
1996
*Tow CD Rum Cover (Page Park Model Rep. Miami & Dallas)
*MTV Show to benefit United Way, Miami, Florida
1994
*La Viole Rouge. South Beach, Miami, to Benefit UFA
*Sunday By The Bay (A benefit auction to stop Aids.), Long Island, New
York
1993
*Martin Luther King High School. New York, with The Board of Education,
Health Week-AIDS
1992
*Oki Do Yoga Institute, Mishima CiN, Japan. Memorial Day to Master Oki Do,
''The Menorah''
*Senator Kakujim Minister of Culture, Tokyo, Japan,
''The Menorah''
*New York Central Synagogue,
''The Menorah"
selected to represent the 25 Year Liberation of Jerusalem,
with Teddy Kolak, Alphonse D'Amato, and Mayor Dinkins
*City Hall. Jerusalem, Israel
Returning ''The Menorah''
*Arch of Titus. Rome, Italy,
Presentation of ''The Menorah'' on the Arch
|
