Aharon April — Israeli artist (site logo).

Video

Reflections

Date: 2008

The videos reveal Aharon April’s rich artistic journey, ranging between the influence of Siberian landscapes on his work and his insights into the creative process and its completion. He discusses the impact of Jerusalem’s unique and powerful light on his art, and his development of a personal artistic style combining diverse techniques like watercolor and oil paints.

April presents his view on the role of the “soul” or the individual component in creation, reflects on the differences in audience perception between Russia and Paris, and emphasizes how his deep artistic roots from Russia alongside a “new breath” he acquired in Israel, created an artist with a strong and unique voice, reaching a “full circle” in prestigious galleries.

Here is a concise description of the content of each video:

Aharon April-Reflection 01

This video describes Aharon April’s prestigious exhibition at the Tretyakov Gallery, symbolizing his unique artistic journey from Israel back to his Russian roots. It emphasizes how the artist combined the foundations of his training in Russia with a “new breath” acquired in Israel, creating a powerful and unique artistic statement.

Aharon April-Reflection 02

April reveals a formative childhood memory where he first encountered a colored reproduction of an artwork, an event that left a profound impression and shaped his artistic path. He describes the shock of the possibility of creating such a masterpiece using paints and brushes, and the lasting impact of this experience on his artistic search and growth.

Aharon April-Reflection 03

The artist analyzes the significant differences in how various audiences, such as French and Russian audiences, relate to his art. He notes that the French audience seeks a “key” to the artwork, while the Russian audience fully enters it, sometimes developing philosophical ideas even deeper than the artist’s original intent.

Aharon April-Reflection 04

April discusses the components of artistic creation according to poet Joseph Brodsky’s view, which include rational, objective, and individual (“soul” or “secret”) elements. He emphasizes the importance of the personal and inexplicable component as the primary element that attracts the viewer and allows for a deep and emotional experience with art.

Aharon April-Reflection 05

This video addresses the central question of “when an artwork is complete” and shares practices of artists like Titian, who would place works facing the wall to allow them to “mature”. April states that time is the ultimate criterion for evaluating a work and distinguishes between an artist’s inner belief and the expectation of external compensation.

Aharon April-Reflection 06

April expresses criticism of the excessive emphasis on novelty and invention in modern art education, especially in the West. He argues that thorough and comprehensive education, deeply rooted in artistic tradition, is far more crucial for developing true artists, and that meticulously planned works often fall below average.

Aharon April-Reflection 08

This video highlights how April’s works, in the current exhibition, reflect the special light and landscapes of Israel, while offering a personal rather than merely illustrative reading of biblical and mythological stories. His work, which began in Russia, absorbed “light of love and goodness” in Israel and conveys a deep spiritual ascent.

Aharon April-Reflection 09

April discusses his approach to various artistic techniques, refuting the common perception that watercolor is only for quick paintings, and presents monumental watercolor works created over extended periods. He notes that switching between materials like oil, watercolor, and acrylic provides the artist with greater freedom of expression and more fluent authenticity.

Aharon April-Reflection 12

April reflects that geographical location is less essential for an artist than the content and essence they carry with them. He describes his exhibition at the Tretyakov Gallery as a “circle completed” in his life, expressing hope that this moment, marking the end of a chapter, will serve as a springboard for new, groundbreaking works.

“30 years after”

Date: 2002

Interview with Artist Aharon April on Israeli Television (in Russian)

Artist Aharon April shares his experience from his successful exhibition in Moscow and the enthusiastic reception his works receive in Russia. April, who arrived in Israel at age 40 with a strong artistic foundation from a decade of painting studies in Russia, describes the challenge of adapting his artistic perceptions to a new environment.

Despite his quiet exterior appearance, April defines his works as “a volcano of emotions” and “a symphony of colors.” He prefers artists who fully express themselves on canvas and acknowledges the influence of artists such as El Greco and Vrubel on his work.

April emphasizes the importance of in-depth study of masterpieces, defines himself as an Israeli artist, and expresses his hope to continue delighting audiences with new works.

Aharon April: "UNCONSCIOUS REALITY" Exhibition at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art (MMOMA)

Date: 2014

A tour of artist Aharon April’s painting exhibition, showcasing the colorful diversity and artistic richness of his works. The video captures the unique atmosphere in the gallery and the emotional

reactions of viewers to his dramatic creations. “April’s vivid, colorful dramaticism seems to reflect the state of today’s world.” (Gallery)

A captivating visual experience that reveals the power of the artist’s works to translate emotions and thoughts into the language of color and form

“The other side of the canvas”

Date: 2010

Monolog (Russian) Artist’s Journey to the Song of Songs

Aharon discusses the evolution of his work, from painting expansive Siberian landscapes to focusing on Jerusalem’s ancient stones and buildings.

 His passion for portraiture, particularly of women close to him, naturally led him to explore the themes of the Song of Songs.

This artistic journey culminated in a successful exhibition of 70 works dedicated to the Song of Songs, a collection that continues to influence his art decades later. The artist emphasizes his focus on the human and poetic aspects of the text, setting aside traditional theological interpretations and concentrating on the central female figure, Shulamit, and her solitude at the story’s end.

“Documentation the Creative Process”

Date: 2002