Rhea Carmi (; born 1942) (variant name: Bruria Carmi), is an

Israeli American Israeli Americans () are Americans who are of full or partial Israeli descent. The Israeli-American community, while predominantly Jewish, also includes various ethnic and religious minorities reflective of Israel's diverse demographics. This c ...

abstract and

mixed-media In visual art, mixed media describes artwork in which more than one medium or material has been employed. Assemblages, collages, and sculpture are three common examples of art using different media. Materials used to create mixed media art inc ...

artist and

sculptor Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...

. Her work, spanning over five decades, explores themes of human emotion, conflict, and the enduring human spirit through abstract forms and a variety of media. Carmi has exhibited her art internationally, with shows in Israel, Europe, Australia, New York, and Los Angeles, earning recognition for her distinctive vision and tactile approach to art-making.

Early life and education

Carmi was born in

Jerusalem Jerusalem is a city in the Southern Levant, on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest cities in the world, and ...

a region known for its spiritual and passionate character. She studied visual art at

Tel-Aviv University Tel Aviv University (TAU) is a Public university, public research university in Tel Aviv, Israel. With over 30,000 students, it is the largest university in the country. Located in northwest Tel Aviv, the university is the center of teaching and ...

from 1974 to 1976, followed by further studies at the Ramat-Gan Institute for the Arts from 1977 to 1979. Her artistic development was significantly influenced by her mentors, Israeli artists Arie Aroch and

Motti Mizrachi Mordechai (Motti) Mizrachi (; born 1946) is an Israeli multimedia artist who creates politically engaged conceptual works that combine sculpture, video, photography, public art and performance. ''Dough'', ''Via Dolorosa'' (1973) and ''Healing'' ...

, who helped shape her approach to abstract and mixed-media art.

Career

Carmi’s career is marked by a deep commitment to exploring the human condition through her abstract and mixed-media works. Over the past fifty years, she has produced a significant body of work using a diverse range of materials, including oils, sand, water, treated paper, canvas, and wood. Her technique involves layering, smoothing, and sculpting these materials to create abstract impressions that invite both visual and tactile engagement. Her works are often described as topographies of intimate landscapes and mappings of emotions, serving as a personal diary that chronicles events impacting humanity and nature. Themes central to her art include introspection, conflict, human emotion, and the effects of power and greed. Carmi has been an active member of the art community, notably as a member of the ARTROM Gallery Guild and served as juror for Abstract Forms for the ARTROM International Art Competition 2008 Art critic Peter Frank has praised her, stating, "Her vision is distinctive and her articulation of a difficult (if visually attractive) formal language is particularly impressive.". Similarly, Roberta Carasso, an art writer and consultant, noted, "Rhea is one of the most dedicated artists I have ever met. She continuously creates art that has depth and meaning and speaks to global issues."

Artistic style

Carmi’s artistic style is characterized by her innovative use of mixed media to create abstract forms that convey profound emotional and thematic content. She employs materials such as oils, sand, water, treated paper, canvas, and wood, manipulating them through layering and sculpting techniques to produce works that are both visually and physically engaging. Her art is known for its tactile quality, inviting viewers to experience it on multiple sensory levels. A significant series in her oeuvre is the “Dark Series,” created in 2007 in response to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict and personal family challenges. This series, as described by Peter Frank, features a simpler, more sober palette and formal vocabulary, with works that emphasize human frailty, sensuality, and a “persistent glow of hope”. The series includes soft, three-dimensional shapes, copper-hued panels with “windows,” and white forms on black grounds, symbolizing order and harmony amidst turmoil.

Exhibitions

Carmi has held numerous solo and group exhibitions worldwide, showcasing her work in diverse cultural contexts. Her exhibition history reflects her international presence and the broad appeal of her art. Below is a selection of her notable exhibitions: * 1980 Beit Yad LeBanim Tel Aviv, Israel * 1980 The Tel-Aviv Art Pavilion Tel Aviv, Israel * 1980/1981 Turel Art Gallery Tel Aviv, Israel * 1981 13&1/2 Gallery Jaffa, Israel * 1984

Pacific Design Center The Pacific Design Center, or PDC, is a multi-use facility for the design community in West Hollywood, California. One of the buildings is often described as the ''Blue Whale'' because of its large size relative to surrounding buildings and its ...

Los Angeles, CA * 2004 Lawrence Asher Gallery Los Angeles, CA * 2004 B.G.H Gallery Santa Monica, CA * 2004 TarFest Los Angeles, CA * 2005 Lawrence Asher Gallery Los Angeles, CA * 2005 Municipal Art Gallery Los Angeles, CA * 2006 The Gotthelf Art Gallery Los Angeles, CA * 2006 Lawrence Asher Gallery Los Angeles, CA * 2006 Klapper Gallery Los Angeles, CA * 2007 LA Contemporary Los Angeles, CA * 2007 Art Pic North Hollywood, CA * 2007 Galerie Le Cocon Hamburg, Germany * 2007 Torrance Art Museum Torrance, CA * 2007/2008

Riverside Art Museum Riverside Art Museum is an art museum in the historic Mission Inn District of Riverside, California. The museum is a non-profit organization which focuses on addressing social issues and offers art classes as well as other events in order to in ...

Riverside, CA * 2008

Soka University of America Soka University of America (SUA) is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Aliso Viejo, California. Originally founded in 1987, it was established on its current campus in 2001 by Daisaku ...

, Founder's Hall Art Gallery Aliso Viejo, CA * 2008 Frank Pictures Gallery Santa Monica, CA * 2008 Villa di Donato Napoli, Italy * 2009

Concordia University Concordia University () is a Public university, public English-language research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1974 following the merger of Loyola College (Montreal), Loyola College and Sir George Williams Universit ...

Irvine, CA * 2009 CAP Gallery Laguna Beach, CA * 2009 USC Hillel/companion show to MAG(Barnsdall) LA, CA * 2010 Bell Gallery Los Angeles, CA * 2010 Gotthelf Art Gallery La Jola, CA * 2010 the Jewish Federation's Bell Family Gallery, Los Angeles, CA * 2010 Four Seasons Hotel Gallery, Westlake Village, CA * 2010 Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA * 2010 Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA * 2010 Gotthelf Art Gallery, La Jolla, CA * 2010 Four Seasons Hotel Gallery, Westlake Village, CA * 2011 Four Seasons Hotel Gallery, Westlake Village, CA * 2011 "Text and Texture", Fresh Paint Gallery, Culver City, CA * 2012 Four Seasons Hotel Gallery, Westlake Village, CA * 2012 Keller Williams, Encino, CA * 2012 LA Art Platform, Santa Monica, CA * 2012 "40/40" USC Hillel, Santa Monica, CA

Public collections

Her work has also been featured at prestigious venues such as the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and

in Aliso Viejo, CA. Carmi’s exhibitions have been reviewed in publications such as California Contemporary Art Magazine (September/October 2010), THE Magazine (October 2008), and the OC Register (September 2008), underscoring her impact in the art world.

Personal life

Carmi resides in California with her husband, with whom she has been married for over 48 years as of 2024. She continues to live and work in Los Angeles, where she remains an active figure in the art community.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Carmi, Rhea 1942 births Living people Artists from Jerusalem American mixed-media artists Abstract expressionist artists American postmodern artists American contemporary painters American people of Israeli descent Painters from California Israeli painters Israeli women painters American abstract painters 20th-century American painters 21st-century American painters 20th-century American women painters 21st-century American women painters