Aunt Zari

Story Behind Aunt Zari and I

The painting "Aunt Zari and I" is one of the most intimate and dearest artworks I have ever created, directly linking to my childhood. I grew up in a large family where I was the unfavored child, enduring constant punishments mainly due to my nonconformist nature. I believe that my rebellious behavior, more than anything else, was a defensive mechanism to survive unfair treatment and abuse.

It's not that my childhood lacked good times, or that every moment was difficult; that simply wasn't the case. My family, in fact, was remarkably open-minded. All of us, as children, were largely free to pursue our own interests, unburdened by strict parental control or undue influence. This autonomy allowed me to cultivate my own path, finding happiness and enjoy life growing up with my siblings and a large number of my extended family members.

This environment provided me with a unique opportunity to learn not only from my siblings but also from older siblings’ friends and an array of cousins, many of whom lived next door to us.  This environment created a truly fascinating upbringing and complex duality in my life: on one hand, I faced hardships that made me less than happy, yet on the other, the freedom I possessed allowed me to be a very active, expressive, and outspoken child.

In this complex environment at home, Aunt Zari, who lived with us, was the singular beacon of hope. She became my protector and guarantor. In her, I saw a figure far more powerful than my mother, because her power emanated from kindness and not anger and wrath. Her character and giving nature, and her unconditional love left an indelible impression, profoundly shaping my own.

Aunt Zari, in this portrayal, is a large, figuratively expansive portion of the painting, while I am depicted as very small. I wanted to visually express being protected by a greater power in my life, capturing the profound sense of security and comfort she gave me. I am truly blessed to have such a nurturing figure who bestowed unconditional love upon me.