VSA International produced a unique art exhibition for artists with disabilities from the whole world in Washington DC.
The exhibit had a very specific concept, “Transformation”. The aim, was enunciated in the participation manual, to exhibit artists with a unique artistic language, who have a body of work executed over a five-year period at least and demonstrating evolution, change, influences, etc.
Akim Israel proposed four candidates, all talented and worthy.
We are proud that out of 293 artists from all around the world who were nominated, only 23 were accepted, among them Taga Tazazu from Akim Israel.
The exhibit took place between June 10th and 29th 2006 [for three weeks] at the Kennedy Center Terrace gallery in Washington DC.
Taga Tazazu is one of our most talented artists with special needs. He exhibits often. His works arouse the interest of buyers and receive excellent reviews.
TAGA TAZEZO
Curriculum Vitae
· Born on 1964 in Etyopia
· His mother died when he was very young. Taga was a "nature boy", he grew up in a small village. He remembers himself working in the field, walking to the river and makes flutes from the bamboo shoot.
· He immigrated to Israel with his brothers on 1990, in "Operation Shlomo "
· Since 1997 he lives in a dormitory of mentally handicapped people,
Neve- Hayirus, Ness ziona.
Group Exhibitions
1998 - "Art with all the heart", An art exhibition of AKIM - National association for the habilitation of the mentally handicapped.
An art exhibition of special artists," Luvre" Museum, Paris.. - 1998
2002 - An art exhibition, in the 'Knesset of Israel', Jerusalem, The international outsider day.
2003 - "Drew me a hug", An art exhibition of mentally disabled artists, Jerusalem. The exhibition is displayed all over Israel.
Yeudit Noy Gallery. - A mosaic exhibition, 2005
2005 - "In all honesty", An art exhibition of mentally disabled artists, Tel Aviv. The exhibition is displayed all over Israel.
A lot of exhibitions of the dormitory residents.
“Akim” Association decided to print Toga's paint as a Poster.
Personal Statement:
Taga is a very modest person, who doesn’t talk much. He hardly speaks Hebrew. With the assistance of a translator from the Amharic language he said about himself: "I paint with my heart".
Artistic Work and Narrative
Taga's adjustment to the dormitory was slow and difficult. He hardly communicated with his surrounding and suffered from severe temper tantrums.
Shortly after his arrival he started to paint and his huge talent in this area becomes obvious and clear. Since then he has been painting and his creating become more and more prominent.
Taga works in cleaning during mornings. From noon he works in the workshop 4 times a week.
In the beginning he filled many pages with tiny forms that looked like snails.
He repeats on these for 6 months. They probably helped him to feel more safe and secure during the adjustment period. Then Taga started to learn and create in a new various techniques and materials: monotype, kolag', sculpture from paper, fabric, wood, clay, mosaic, gypsum, Pleistocene, etc. He became very enthusiastic about the new possibilities. His creations were always very interesting and full of colors.
Taga was full of energy and enthusiasm; he was very focused and concentrated.
Moving from one technique to the other is very demanding, but he is very organized and is capable of working months and even years with the same technique. Now he paints mainly in acrylic. He likes working in layers of colors, using big amount of materials with long fine and monotonous paint movements. It seems that Taga works according to his inner rhythm. Some times all his body moves and dances while working. He sometimes uses a lot of power and sometimes he is very gentle. He prefers warm colors – deep red and Bordeaux. The colors reflect his mood: bright when he is happy and dark when he is sad.
Taga's art affect his mental condition and vice versa. The process is more important for him than the outcome.
Taga works in a group, his influence on his surrounding is magnificent
Recently he returns to paint the forms of snails, but now he combines them in his adventure work: collage, photos, paper and acrylic. In summary, Taga is a very original and unique artist, his creation develops and he began to be proud of himself.
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The text was written by Anat Hadar an Art therapist and Instructor of the group.
