Noma Bar: The Art of Visual Metaphor and Finding Inspiration
Renowned Israeli artist Noma Bar discusses his journey from Afula to London, his artistic inspirations, and his major exhibition at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
An intimate portrait of Israeli-born artist Noma Bar reveals the formative moments of his life, from a childhood in Afula to international acclaim in London. In a candid interview, Bar reflects on his early artistic inspirations, the legacy of his Holocaust survivor parents, and the emotional weight of losing his mother.
Roots and Early Inspirations
Born in Afula in 1973, Bar recalls his earliest childhood memory at Sarah Kindergarten in 1977. "A pencil portrait of Theodor Herzl. I remember sitting on the floor, looking at his picture on the wall, and trying to depict him in a single line," he shares. Raised by Holocaust survivor parents who arrived in the valley and lived in huts, Bar chose a path away from the existential anxiety of his parents, deciding early on not to carry that burden.
His artistic awakening was sparked by unexpected mentors. He recalls a local tractor mechanic in Afula named Pesach Godkovitz, who transformed tractor parts into inspiring sculptures. "I think this was my first encounter with visual metaphor," Bar notes. Later studies at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design under professors like Avi Eisenstein opened new visual horizons before he met his wife, Dana, who brought elegance to his life and work.
The Path to Global Recognition
Bar's defining moment of success came unexpectedly during the London Design Festival, where he exhibited his solo show Cut It Out. Arriving at the Soho gallery, he was stunned to find a long queue of people waiting in the rain just to see his work. This followed a crucial turning point: meeting Patrick MacNamee, the creative director of Time Out London, which led to his first published illustration—a question mark-shaped portrait of Shakespeare reflecting the BBC program's theme.
"Every day, student projects are sent to me from around the world studying my works, so I know I will leave behind works that make many people activate their imaginations and look at the everyday in a different way," Bar says.
Art, Loss, and Legacy
Reflecting on personal loss, Bar admits his heart is still broken by the passing of his mother. "I still, every morning with coffee, instinctively go to the landline to call her. And then I remember there is no one to call," he shares. Today, Bar sees his role simply: to make people engage their imagination and view the mundane through a fresh lens. His major retrospective exhibition, Noma Bar: The Other Side, curated by Yuval Saar, is currently on display at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.
