Two etchings make up this work: - 'Hamsa" and 'Israeli Bride'
Each etching is positioned on one half of a Backgammon Board, the frame for the work.
On the Backgammon Board, a dialog ensues between the Reality, reflected by the "Israeli Bride" and the Hope, reflected on the "Hamsa", symbol of the similar origin of Judaism and Islam, which allows for dialog and coexistence.
Since the beginning of the State of Israel there are about 4000 recorded widows.There are no records of those women who lost their life partners and became widows before their marriage. Israeli Bride is one of those women whose position within Israeli Society is not defined.
She is anonymous and so her face has not been portrayed.She is young, sensual and at her peak. The black ribbon with which her veil is tied signifies her mourning, as does the dead bouquet which together with the white veil has a double meaning. The lifeless flowers signify both the wedding and the memory of a dead lover.
The Hamsa is an ancient symbol, used as a magical protective amulet by both Jews and Muslims.
The significance of the five fingers is associate to the five Books of the
Torah for Jews and the Five Pillars of the Islam for the Muslims. Archeological evidence suggests the Hamsa predates both religions.
Middle East Peace activists have chosen to wear the Hamsa as a symbol of the similarities of origin and tradition of the Islamic and Jewish faiths.
Navah Porat
Born in Italy, brought up in Argentina and has been living in Israel since 1963.
Graduated B.Ed from the College of Arts in Ramat Hasharon as a teacher of Arts.
She is completing her M.A. studies at the Faculty of Arts at the Tel Aviv University.
Navah's works have been exhibited in Israel, New York, Toronto, Hong Kong, Otawa.
