Yael Brotman

Sandbags round my life

July 22 – September 3, 2021

“This series began in the depths of the past year’s COVID-19 isolation anxiety experienced by many throughout the world. Much has been written about people’s responses to being separated from family and community, and we have come to examine our lives to confirm what is most important and supportive for us all.

In this series I consider shelter and protection at its most basic form. ”Sandbags round my life” utilizes the vocabulary of architectural scaffolding details, construction detritus, textiles and cords as repurposed structures. Yet these structural supports may be phenomenological or metaphoric. There is a distinct nod to Russian Constructivist El Lissitzky’s playfulness in his Proun series. Sobering situations still hold within them potential for humor and even in dire circumstances, children play and adults laugh. Connection with other people is our scaffolding and our joy.” – Yael Brotman

Yael Brotman has developed a hybrid practice of printmaking, sculpture and installation that explores aspects of architecture. Brotman has participated in solo and group exhibitions across Canada and internationally including presentations in Berlin, Spain, New York and Egypt. Brotman has been awarded grants and residencies (in China, Ireland, Haida Gwaii) and she is an educator and advocate for artists’ rights, sitting on CARFAC and the boards of other arts organizations.

Yael Brotman wishes to acknowledge the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council.

 

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  • Production of "Come to my House", special limited edition print

    Yael Brotman Printing at Smokestack Studio

    Artist Yael Brotman and Smokestack’s Analog printmaker, Laine Groeneweg, worked collaboratively in the production of Yael’s limited edition print, “Come to my House”, on the occasion of her solo-exhibition and Smokestack Gallery in the summer of 2021.

    In response to her experience through the creation and production of the edition, Yael comments:

    “Come to my House was created from reflections on the need we have all been experiencing to be with people up close and in-person again following months of our collective isolation during the pandemic. Following months of collective isolation during the pandemic, we are now compelled to invite others to cross the threshold between public and private space again, regardless of the condition of our home.

    The process in which this edition was created mirrors the condition of isolation versus the communal. While I worked alone in my studio for several weeks drawing the images that made up each coloured layer for the silkscreen, Laine also worked alone getting the 9 layers of imagery onto the screens in preparation for printing. Then, with masks on, together we spent a fabulous day mixing colours and printing them one by one (Laine did most of the printing!). It was so much fun to work together in the warm space of the Smokestack Studios.

    I am really grateful for that experience.”

    Laine working with Yael Brotman on her Smokestack Limited Edition
    Laine working with Yael Brotman on her Smokestack Limited Edition
    Drying Rack with In-process works by Yael Brotman
    Drying Rack with In-process works by Yael Brotman
    Yael Brotman - silkscreen print in process
    Yael Brotman – silkscreen print in process

  • "Sandbags round my life": in-process

    Yael Brotman In her studio

    Through the last 18 months of the global pandemic, artist Yael Brotman took the opportunity to create a brand new series of work, “Sandbags round my life”, that continues her hybrid printmaking explorations by the integration of analog and digital printmaking methods.

     

    Yael Brotman In her studio
    Yael Brotman
    Yael Brotman
    Yael Brotman

     

This project has been generously supported by:

Ontario Arts Council