Supporting Israeli Artists with Gifts from the HeART

By Susan Coller

Curator Iris Elhanani (far left), with Artists from UMM Culture and Susan Coller (far right) at the Catto Gallery HeArt to HeArt exhibit .

Having been in Israel during the devastating events of 7th October, I felt compelled to make my own small contribution to the healing process for a society deeply affected by wounds, pain, and countless shattered hearts.

But how could I do this?

Everything fell quickly into place following a meeting with my friend, on 8th October. She was delivering some artwork I had purchased at her exhibition in Jaffa a few days earlier. We soon realized that our combined skills— mine as a charity fundraiser and event organiser in London, and hers as an art curator based in Tel Aviv— were the ideal partnership. We both wanted to support those affected by this terrible tragedy: Iris to support her art colleagues who had lost their livelihoods and, in some tragic cases, family members and friends, and me to express the Diaspora’s need to support our Israeli family.

I called this my Bashert project, as everything needed to organise a major London fundraising event came together so quickly.

One phone call to the directors of the Catto Gallery in Hampstead secured us the support of a top-tier venue.

A chance meeting with London-based curator Ilana Wegrzyn resulted in her joining forces with us and brought many opportunities to connect with the well-established London-based Israeli community in addition to Israeli London-based artists, who joined forty top artists from Israel to provide a wonderful array of beautiful paintings, sculptures, photography, and craft pieces.

London based Israeli artist Ron Arad his donated sculpture.

The enthusiastic support of UJIA as our charity partner, and Israel Bonds as one of our most generous sponsors greatly aided us in organising such an ambitious event, providing both financial backing and an interested audience.

The perfect project to support emerged in the form of the Art Therapy & Creative Programmes of the Umm Culture Artist Association, based in the Western Negev (Gaza Envelope), which has been cruelly and destructively devastated by the events of 7th October and its unprecedented aftermath.

Three months after that tragic date, the Catto Gallery opened its doors and its heart for five days of exclusive use of their beautiful premises, which included an amazing preview night. Over 800 people attended to view and purchase, and practically everything on show was sold. Each purchaser contributed funds to the project, feeling they were not only helping but also enjoying a unique opportunity to show support for all we hold dear.

Six months on, Sharon Ken Dor from Kibbutz Erez and Limor Zarfati Max from Kibbutz Ruchama, founders of the Umm Culture Artist Association in Sderot, which serves as a hub for 150 artists in the Western Negev, continue their mission. Umm Culture supports and heals their community through art therapy and creative workshops, helping the Western Negev artists return to their studios, open studios in evacuated communities, and organise art exhibitions and workshops.

“This is just the perfect opportunity for us,” said Sharon. Having spent a long time in places for relocated families, they see how art releases pressure. “It enables people to express their trauma not through words, but through creativity.” They use techniques developed during rocket attacks from Gaza to help If you want to people cope with a lack of control. “When people are stressed and can’t be present (achshavah), they touch the material and calm down,” Sharon explained.

Scenes from Israel, and ceramics by Sharon Ken-Dor & Limor Zarfaty Max of UMM culture

An amazing additional bonus came with the donation of a much-needed shelter for the centre by a generous donor who visited the art sale in London.

We are now looking to hold another HeART to HeART Art Sale in London in 2025. To get involved, please contact Susan Coller: artaidisrael@gmail.com | Tel: 07956 502 408

The power of art has enabled us in the Diaspora to express our desire to help those in Israel through creativity and beauty, and the UK Jewish community and Israel have become one.

Am Israel Chai