The interview ended the way artist interviews usually do, with a question about the future. Chen Bachar’s answer looked back first.
He started painting late, after years of pushing art aside, moving from computer programming to graphic design before painting became part of his everyday life. In the magazine, the answer ran beside his portrait Mama Rachel.
Mama Rachel · Oil on canvas · 80×120 cm – View the artwork
The question
Thanks a lot for your time and for sharing your thoughts, Chen. Finally, would you like to tell us readers something about your future projects? How do you see your work evolving?
ARTiculAction Art Review – Josh Ryder & Barbara Scott
In Chen's words
My work is always in progress, just like in life. Through learning, through new experiences, new countries and interesting people, life goes on and we all grow with them. I'm interested in opening myself for more streams and lines. As long as I call myself an artist, it will always be like that.
Being an artist is not just creation, it's something that is always around, there's no break, thinking divergences always gives more solutions, flexible thinking and creativity, whether it's painting, Sculpture, cooking, dancing, conversation, everywhere.
As long as I continue the journey in and out, spiritual search for balance I believe I would find more directions. I hope to always be able to surprise or excite with my artwork, to touch and even affect.
I started painting at a very late age, after many years of pushing art aside. From computer programmer I became a graphic designer and today my art is part of everyday life. Every day is important for me to create and continue to my journey.
Chen Bachar
About the work
Mama Rachel is a large oil portrait of a woman with her dark hair gathered up, wearing a white blouse and a gold pendant, looking straight at the viewer. It is quieter than the pop portraits and closer to home.
Read with Childhood, this answer completes the story: the boy who was pushed toward computers became the artist anyway.
More from the interview
- Chen Bachar Interview: Ten Questions from ARTiculAction Art Review
- The Fisher Man: How Travel Shaped Chen Bachar's Painting
- Osnat and the Free Hand: Inside Chen Bachar's Creative Process
- African Woman: The Story Behind Chen Bachar's Oil Painting
- Gipsy: Painting a Woman's Quiet Power
- Thoughts: Between Realism and the Subconscious Line