Painting the town, Katamonim style
New exhibition in Jerusalem tries to capture essence of city's Katamonim neighborhood. 'Rehavia is pretty, but for us Katamonim is very different. People know each other, like it was before,' one artist explains
The jazz band playing at the event also helped to set the atmosphere and define that attitude for visitors. On display at the “South of Rehavia” exhibition were various oil and acrylic paintings, photographic works, and several freestanding designs of various materials.
One of the artists featured at the exhibition was Chanchal Banga. Originally from the Bombay area of India, Chanchal has postgraduate degrees in print making from both Indian and Israeli schools, including the Bezalel Academy.
Exhibit paintings by Chanchal Banga (Photo courtesy of Chanchal Banga)
Chanchal has lived and worked in Israel with his wife, Sigal, for seven years now. Speaking of his neighborhood, Chanchal said, “Rehavia is pretty, but for us Katamonim is very different. People know each other,” he said, “like it was before.”
One of the paintings that Chanchal had on display was of a typical Jerusalem stone apartment building in the center, surrounded by a broad pink border. He explained that, “The pink symbolizes Jerusalem as we see it. The house is both Katamonim and Rehavia. The differences,” he continued, “are only in mentality.”
Kids as inspiration
Chanchal explained some of the inspiration and message behind his works is that, “Life is temporary.” He said that he tries to provide contrasts to everyday life through his paintings. But sometimes inspiration is much closer to home, as Chanchal explained that his 4-year-old daughter inspired the second painting on display at the exhibition. A second daughter born Sunday could also be the inspiration for future works.
Chanchal’s resume includes a long list of exhibitions and workshops in both Israel and India, and he travels back and forth between the two places frequently. In Israel, he was the recipient of a fine arts fellowship from the government in 2001.
When he’s not painting in his home studio workshop, Chanchal and Sigal operate an intimate restaurant featuring authentic vegetarian Indian food. The restaurant is only open on Thursday evenings, Fridays before Shabbat for takeout, and now on Saturday after Shabbat ends. There’s no menu, but rather much like his paintings Chanchal prepares whatever food inspires him for that evening.
For more information about Chanchal, his work, or to make a reservation for dinner, please either email to [email protected] or phone to 052-8620251.
