JOHANAN HERSON
Artist/Curator
For over 40 years, Johanan Herson, born and raised in Canada and currently residing in Israel, has been forging his distinct and unique style of painting. Johanan has managed to develop an original voice that combines the dual influence of his Israeli and North American experience and merges them into a unified and consolidated whole.
His award-winning acrylic paintings have been admired by art enthusiasts at numerous exhibitions in Israel, Europe and the United States. In addition to the acrylic works, Johanan developed an innovative method of producing decorative tapestries and wall
hangings, which have been acquired by private clients and commissioned by major corporations for permanent exhibition in corporate centers of operations around Israel. These textile expressions of the artist's original vision and distinctly refined style
are produced and marketed through the Art Nova Studio in Jerusalem where Johanan has served as resident artist and art director for the last decade. Johanan's artistic energies have not been limited to just paint brushes and textile fibers. He as also worked extensively as an actor from the age of 12 appearing on stage, as well as filling a leading role in a television soap opera for 6 straight seasons. He has also appeared in a modicum of TV commercials and feature and fact films.
E D U C A T I O N
1971 - 1974 -
Hebrew University, Jerusalem - BA awarded - Spring, 1974
Major: English Literature
Major: Theater
1968 - 1971 -
Concordia University, Montreal - BFA awarded - Spring, 1971
Major: Drama
Major: Design
1967 - 1968 -
Bezalel Academy of Fine Arts, Jerusalem
EXPERIENCE
1989 - 2015 Resident Artist & Art Director - Art Nova, Jerusalem.
1988 - 1990 Designer & Sales Director - Arbel Carpets, Ltd., Tel Aviv.
1984 -1988 Designer & Marketing Director - Interior Arts, Ltd., Tel Aviv. Special
Technique Wall Hangings, Interior Design.
1982 - 1984 Assistant Curator - Israel Museum Youth Wing, Jerusalem.
1980 - 1983 Resident Director - Kibbutz Theater - Drama workshops and Productions,
Tel Aviv.
1978 - 1979 Managing Director - (Inter Action) The Almost Free Theater Group, London.
1977 - 1978 Israel Cultural Emissary - The Government of Israel, Liverpool, London.
1974 - 1977 Founder - Community Theater (workshops, puppet theater, musical
performances) The Katamonim Project, Jerusalem.
1973 - 1974 Combat Medic - Compulsory IDF military service.
1972 - 1973 Manager and Instructor - Theater Workshop for juvenile delinquents,
Kiryat Menahem, Jerusalem.
1972 - 1975 Graphic Designer - The Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem.
1971 - 1971 Writer & Graphic Designer - Lilith (Periodical in English), Jerusalem.
1965 - 1967 Salesperson & Exhibition Designer - The Stern Gallery, Montreal.
EXHIBITIONS
Individual
2014 Cubano Gallery, Minneapolis USA
2014 Gan Shmuel
2013 Amdur Gallery Tiberias
2012 Gutman Gallery Berlin
2012 Miami Basel , Artnova
2012 Cinemateque Jerusalem, Curator Daniella Talmor
2011 Gebo Gallery “Watching Me”
2008 Appel Gallery Cherry Hill NJ United States
2007 Gebo Art Space Tel Aviv
2007 "Johanan Herson solo exhibition", Artodrom Gallery, Germany
2007 Gan Shmuel Gallery, Gan Shmuel Kibbutz
2006 Leonhard Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium.
2005 Fresco art gallery ,Tel Aviv
2005 Blue And White Gallery- Cardo , Jerusalem
2004 Arta , Jerusalem
2004 Artnova Gallery , Jerusalem
2004 Anna Luzovsky Gallery, Bnei Zion
2003 Meizag, Tel Aviv
2003 Touch wood, Tel Aviv
2003 Faces – Municipal Gallery, Jerusalem
2002 Falling, Tirza 17, Tel Aviv
1999 Gallery Nocherbech-Bielefield, Germany
1999 Gallery Nunsthaus Becher - Uleve, Germany
1999 Kibbutz Machanaim Gallery, "Views", Israel.
1999 Mizpe Hayamim Gallery, "Tel Aviv reminds me of New York".
1998 Art Nova Gallery, Beit Nakofa, Israel.
1998 Gallery Federmann-Lippstadt, Germany
1996 Hermann Gallery, Essen, Germany.
1995 Circle Fine Art Galleries, Soho, Chicago, Miami, USA.
1994 Bendeti Gallery, Soho, New York.
1993 Municipal Gallery, Jerusalem.
1992 Brahler Gallery, The Hague, Netherlands.
1992 Artist's House, Jerusalem, Israel.
1991 Windmill Gallery, Munich, Germany.
Group
1994 Art Expo, New York, USA.
1993 Annual Art Festival, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.
1993 Art Expo, New York, USA.
1992 Art Expo, New York, USA.
1991 Art Expo, New York, USA.
1991 Art Hamburg, Germany.
1990 Art Expo, Los Angeles, USA.
1990 Art Expo, New York, USA.
1989 Artist's House, Jerusalem, Israel.
AWARDS
1980 Third Place Prize at the Akko Fringe Theater Festival for "Measure
ments" - Direction and Design.
1981 Second Place Prize at the Akko Fringe Theater Festival for "Man to
Man" - Production, Original Idea, Design
Special Award for Design: "Man to Man"; Nominated for the David's Harp
Award (Israel equivalent to a Toni Award).
1983 David's Harp Award nomination for Best Children's play - "Lights Out" -
Direction and Design.
COMMISSIONED WORKS
By corporate and private clients.
On permanent Display at:
Binyanei Ha Uma - Jerusalem Convention Center
Ramat Gan Theater
Passengers' Terminal in the Port of Haifa
Adanim Mortgage Bank in Tel Aviv
Sun Hotel - Bat Yam
Clal Computers - Givat Shaul
Golden Pages of Israel - Ramat Gan
Ideal Fasteners Corp. - North Carolina
Americare Inc. - Brooklyn, New York
Mizrahi Bank - 38 Branches
Neve Ilan Guest House - Neve Ilan
Kiriat Anavim Guest House
Hotel Mitzpeh Ramat Rachel
First International Bank - 2 branches
Carlton Hotel - Tel Aviv.
Alexander Hotel - Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv University - Tel Aviv.
Journalist House - Jerusalem.
Africa-Israel Lobbies (received best design award) - Nationwide.