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Jonathan Kis-Lev
Born
Yehonatan (Yoni) Kislov

(1985-09-12) 12 September 1985 (age 39)
Mishmar Ayalon, Israel
NationalityIsraeli
Known forPainting, Printmaking, Acting, Narrating
MovementNaïve art

Jonathan Kis-Lev (Hebrew: יהונתן כיס-לב) (born 1985) is an Israeli interdisciplinary artist, mostly known as a painter and as an actor. His distinctive style of colorful naïve paintings has granted him a recognition in Israel,[1] and his paintings have become a part of important art collections such as the collection of the National Bank of Israel.[2] Kis-Lev is also a peace activist[3] and a promoter of the international language Esperanto.[4]

As an artist

Painting career

Kis-Lev showed interest in the visual arts from an early age. He began studying painting with a private teacher at the age of five,[5] and then continued to the Aleph High School of Arts Tel Aviv where he learnt drawing and sculpting. At the age of 16 he was granted a scholarship to attend Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific in Canada. Though not explicitly an art school, Kis-Lev majored in visual arts under the guidance of teacher Art Brendon. He gained the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a higher level in visual arts.[citation needed]

Coming back to Israel, Kis-Lev continued developing his artistic skills while serving in the Israeli Defense Forces, and exhibited his first exhibition in Tel Aviv entitled Beginnings: Neve Zedek and Jaffa. Visited by many, including Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, the exhibition marked his debut in the Israeli art world.[6]

Following completion of his military service Kis-Lev decided not to continue studying art in an art academy, but to develop his style and technique by himself. In the years following the artist developed several techniques that were meant to enable him to "forget" all that he was taught about proper painting from an early age, and paint "like a child again".[7] He began drawing some paintings with his weak left hand rather than his strong right, and drew the outline of some paintings when the canvas was placed upside down, so that the sky was placed on the bottom.[8] According to the artist, these techniques helped him to gain self-confidence in his intuition and paint more freely.[1][9] The style Kis-Lev developed was referred to as naïve, even though art critics have insisted on referring to the works as faux- or pseudo-naïve due to the highly self-conscious approach taken by the artist.[9]

Solo Exhibitions

2012 The Abstract With a Touch of Reality, curator: Judith Beiner, Griffin Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida, USA

2011 Of Gold, curator: Shiran Shafir Buchwald, Art and Soul Gallery, Jerusalem, Israel

2010 Naharia My Love, curator: Lee Rimon, The Edge Gallery, Naharia, Israel

2010 Portraits of an Eternal Land, curator: Judith Beiner, Griffin Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida, USA

2009 Jonathan Kis-Lev, curator: Shiran Shafir Buchwald, Shorashim Art Gallery - International Bank, Tel Aviv, Israel

2007 Beginnings: Neve Zedek and Jaffa, Trade Tower Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel

Group Exhibitions

2011 Abstract Thoughts, curator: Doron Polak, ZOA Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel

2009 B-Sides, curator: Inbal Drue, Zavta Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel

2009 Home, curator: Rotem Ritov, Apart Art Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel

2009 Secret Exhibition curators: Esti Drori and Doron Polak, National Bank, Tel Aviv, Israel

Acting Career

In his early teens, while studying visual arts during the day at the Aleph High School of Arts, Kis-Lev took evening theatre classes at the Orna Porat Theater, until deciding to transfer to the theater class in the Aleph School of Arts. He later said that that was partially because being taught how to paint and being forced to draw still life was all too constraining for him.[citation needed] He began playing in the Habima National Theater of Israel and at the age of 14 transferred to the theater department at the Thelma Yellin High School of Arts, a school known as the Israeli equivalent of the New York School of Performing Arts on which the 1980 film Fame was based.[10] In the following years Kis-Lev participated in a number of theater plays and television shows in Israel. Following a lead in a soap opera in 2003, where he played a rapist, Kis-Lev began gradually drifting away from the acting world, and focused more on visual arts and peace activism. Nevertheless, Beginning in 2008 he recorded several audio books for adults and children for the Israeli Sonicbooks label.[11]

Theater

1998-1999 Good Heart (Lev Tov), by Gilad Evron, Habima National Theater of Israel

1999-2001 A View From the Bridge, by Arthur Miller, Habima National Theater of Israel

1999 The Trojan War Will Not Take Place, by Jean Giraudoux, Library Theatre (HaSifriya), Ramat Gan, Israel

2001 Newscast (Mivzak Hadashot), by Goren Agmon, Beit Lessin Theater, Tel Aviv, Israel

2000-2002 Moomins (HaMoominim) (as Moomintroll), based on the books by Tove Jansson, Azriel Asharov Theater Production Company, Tel Aviv, Israel

Screen

1995 Tushtush with Yael Bar-Zohar and Michael Hanegbi (guest performance as himself), Channel 2 (Israel)

1998-1999 Good Evening with Guy Pines (Erev Tov Im Guy Pines) (guest performances as himself), Hot 3

1998-2000 Heart-Talk (Balbalev) with Efrat Rayten (co-host), Channel 6 (Israel)

2000 Happy New Year (Shana Tova), by Michal Hagay (the film won the first prize in the short film category in the 2001 Haifa International Film Festival)[12]

2003-2004 Love is Around the Corner (Ahava Me'ever LaPina) (as Erez), Channel 2 (Israel)

Audio

2000 E.T. (Hebrew version), dubbing Greg and other characters

2000-2001 Nanuk children television series, dubbing various characters, channel 1 (Israel)

2008-2012 Sonicbooks Hebrew audio books including: World Cup Wishes by Eshkol Nevo, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, and My Ishmael by Daniel Quinn.[11]

As peace activist

From a young age Kis-Lev showed interest in conducting dialogues with Israeli Arabs and later on with Palestinians. As early as 12 he participated in art workshops for peace led by Adi Yekutieli. He then joined the Jewish-Arab youth movement Sadaka Reut, which influenced him greatly.[3] At the age of 16 he was selected by the Israeli committee of the United World Colleges as the Israeli young ambassador to the Pacific College in Canada in order to live and study alongside young students from around the world, including Palestinian and Arab students, as part of the movement's mission to serve as a "force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future".[13][14]

Upon completing his studies in Canada, Kis-Lev returned to Israel to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, and fought to be stationed at a unit that he considered as promoting peace rather than war and occupation. Following his struggle he was then stationed at the headquarters of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, where for three years he was in charge of relations ands assistance to organizations such as UNRWA and Doctors Without Borders.[15] During his service he met with Major General Yusef Mishleb and briefed him regarding possible negative outcomes of Israel's unilateral disengagement plan on the Palestinian population.[citation needed]

After completing his military service Kis-Lev began travelling the world lecturing about the possibilities for peace in the Middle East, stressing the importance of education for peace as a solution to the conflict.[3][16][17] In 2011 he participated in the prestigious Tikvah Program for Political Leadership at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Israel.[15][18] Led by Prof. Peter Berkowitz and Dr. Alisa Rubin Peled, the program brought together 25 students from across Israel interested in political and social change in the region.[19] The same year Kis-Lev began participating in a group of 15 Israeli and 15 Palestinian artists of all disciplines promoting peace. Led by the Bereaved Families for Peace, the project included regular encounters between the 30 artists, both in Israel and in the Palestinian Territories. Among other joint activities the group visited together the Palestinian depopulated village Lifta and the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. Named Families Forum's Artists Group, the initiative won extensive media coverage for being a unique cooperation of artists from both sides of the conflict cooperating for mutual understanding and peace.[20]


Personal life

Kis-Lev lives and works in his childhood village Mishmar Ayalon in the biblical Valley of Ajalon, to which he returned in 2011. He is a board member of the Israeli Esperanto Association[4] and is an active member in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Israel,[21] and in the Israeli Association of Visual Artists.[15] He considers himself an autodidact, and earned his Bachelor's degree with honors from the Open University of Israel focusing on music and art history.[15][22]

References and sources

Notes
  1. ^ a b Thrope, Samuel (21 March 2011), "The Metamorphosis: Jonathan Kis-Lev's Jerusalems", Zeek, a Jewish Journal of Thought and Culture, retrieved 05 December 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ The National Bank of Israel, Bank Leumi, purchased 15 paintings by the artist for the art collection of the bank. Kis-Lev, Jonathan (02 December 2009). "Not Poor, Nor Starving (סיפורו של אמן (לא) מיוסר)" (in Hebrew). Bank Leumi. Retrieved 10 December 2011. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Teichert, Corina (July 2008), From Attempts to Crossing Borders (Vom Versuch, Grenzen zu überschreiten) (in German), Jüdische Zeitung, retrieved 03 November 2009 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ a b Kis-Lev, Jonathan. Pavinski, Rogener (ed.). "Not Only Language - Way of Life! (Ne nur lingvo - viv-vojo!)". Kontakto (in Esperanto). 245 (2011:5). Universala Esperanto-Asocio: 22. ISSN 0023-3692. Retrieved 10 December 2011. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); see also Kis-Lev, Jonathan. Wandel, Amri (ed.). "My First International Youth Congress of Esperanto (Mia Unua IJK)" (PDF). Israela Esperantisto (in Esperanto). 154–155 (Somero-Vintro 2011): 21–26. ISSN 1565-3315. Retrieved 10 January 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ "Jonathan Kis-lev Bio", Connection Art, retrieved 05 December 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ Next Year in Jerusalem, by Jonathan Kis-Lev, Griffin Gallery, retrieved 05 December 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ Bulstein, Ariel (14 March 2011). "Diamonds and Gold in Jerusalem That Looks Like an Artist (Алмазы и золото в Иерусалиме, похожем на художника)". Booknik (in Russian). Avi Chai Foundation.
  8. ^ Friedman, Asi (10 November 2008). "Just Now (בדיוק עכשיו)". LaIsha Magazine (in Hebrew).
  9. ^ a b Shafir Buchwald, Shiran, Art That Does Good For the Heart (in Hebrew), The Marker Cafe, retrieved 05 December 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  10. ^ see Eyal Keles, Roka's Violin (in Hebrew), Korim Publishing House, retrieved 03 December 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); see also Ben Nun, Sagi (27 August 2011), Dreaming My Way Back to School (in Hebrew), NRG, retrieved 03 December 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ a b "Narrator Jonathan Kis-Lev", Audible.com, 15 November 2011, retrieved 03 December 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); see also under Yehonatan Kis-Lev
  12. ^ Yodilevitch, Merav (09 October 2001). "Haifa Film Festival Ended". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 03 November 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ see United World Colleges - Mission Statement; see also UWC website
  14. ^ Kis-Lev, Jonathan, I learned I really can stretch my boundaries, Pearson College, retrieved 15 January 2012
  15. ^ a b c d "The Tikvah IDC Program In Political Leadership 2011 Fellows" (PDF). Tikvah Fund. October 2011. Retrieved 05 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ "An optimist seeks peace (Ein Optimist sucht den Frieden)", Schwäbische Zeitung (in German), 10 July 2008, retrieved 05 December 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  17. ^ "The Search for Peace - The Israeli-Palestinian situation (Die Suche nach Frieden – Die israelisch-palästinensische Lage)" (PDF) (Press release) (in German). Berlin: Das Festival für junge Politik, Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung. 13 June 2008. p. 83. Retrieved 03 November 2009. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  18. ^ Kis-Lev, Jonathan, My Experience at the Tikvah IDC Program – Opening My Mind, Tikvah IDC Program, retrieved 05 December 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  19. ^ Lilintal, Shiri. "The Tikvah Program In Political Leadership" (PDF). Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center. Retrieved 05 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ See Golan, Omer (29 December 2011), Weekend in Beit Jala (סופ"ש בבית ג'אלה) (in Hebrew), Bereaved Families For Peace, retrieved 03 January 2012 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); see also here
  21. ^ Apart from being a Big Brother in the organization, Kis-Lev donated few artworks to a benefit for the organization, alongside artists Eliora Schwartz-Steimatzky and Aya Chovers. See "Big Brother Big Sister of Israel Benefit Art Exhibit" (Press release). Big Brothers Big Sisters of Israel. 08 September 2011. Retrieved 03 November 2011. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); see also Shwartz, Eitan (15 November 2011). "Eitan Shwartz About His Mother's Exhibition". Notzetz, Israel's Society Site (in Hebrew). Retrieved 03 December 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ University President's Honors Recepients (PDF), Open University of Israel, 2009, retrieved 21 March 2011
Sources
  • Rimon, Lee. Israel, Dr. Zvika (ed.). "Jonathan Kis-Lev, Naharia My Love". Can, Israeli Art Magazine (in Hebrew). 17 (December 2010): 68–69. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • "'Ancient' Gallery Exhibits Israel". Boca Raton Forum. Boca Raton, Florida, USA. 17 November 2010. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Naharia My Love, catalog, The Edge Gallery Publishing, Naharia, Israel, 2010
  • Secret Exhibition, catalog, Esti Drori and Doron Polak, Bank Leumi, Israel, 2009
  • Jonathan Kis-Lev: Artist Vision, Shiran Shafir Buchwald, Shorashim Art Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel, 2009
  • Home, catalog, Rotem Ritov, Apart Art Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel , 2009

Further reading

/Category:1985 births /Category:Israeli Jews /Category:Thelma Yellin High School of Arts alumni /Category:Israeli artists /Category:Israeli painters /Category:Living people

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