Michal Worke

Born in Ethiopia, 1982

Lives and works in Tel Aviv, Israel

At three years old, Worke moved from Ethiopia to Israel – via Sudan – with her family as part of “Operation Moses” in the 1980s. Once Michal’s family arrived in Israel they settled and lived in Netanya. Her work offers a reflection on the struggles of survival and sense of home relating to the artist’s personal experiences as well as more global issues around migration. Worke combines a distinct figurative style – deliberately naive and brightly coloured – with feminist sensibilities, exploring identity and, at times, directly referencing the practice of the late Portuguese-British artist Paula Rego. The artist creates autobiographical paintings, combining self-portraits with portraits of her family and community.

GALLERIES:

Zemack Contemporary art