Ilona
Avart

Ilona AvartIlona AvartIlona AvartIlona Avart
  • HOME
  • THE METAPHOR SERIES
  • PAINTINGS
  • DIARIES
  • BIO
  • CV
  • CONTACT

Ilona
Avart

Ilona AvartIlona AvartIlona Avart
  • HOME
  • THE METAPHOR SERIES
  • PAINTINGS
  • DIARIES
  • BIO
  • CV
  • CONTACT

ILONA AVART - THE METAPHOR SERIES

The Metaphor Series is a long journey of discovering my artistic style and identity. I took a road trip to understand how this moment in my life differs from other periods. I realised then that the freedom of expression is more than just a phrase. It is the sense of freely flowing in your mind and trying not to rationalise every thought. Why can't any thought or idea mean anything and be whatever it is? Once I realised that I don't need to be 'loud' to express myself, could I start the real journey of discovering my passions through the creative 'process' itself. I believe that when you do something from a place of a free state of mind, you don’t need to be loud and 'overlap'. Charles Hinman, a great living artist who I had the privilege to be taught by, used to often remind me of that. 

    Creative process

    I started learning more about Japanese ink techniques, and my idea for the series evolved. I felt comfortable enough to start the series using Japanese ink and a knife without a brush like I always do - I liked how it created an effect of multidimensional space and figures. 

    I wanted to tell a story behind the series creation and documented the first steps in the process, the different notes, techniques, and mediums in my notebook. 

    I then practiced the technique on paper discovering the strokes and knife as an artistic tool. 


    That’s how the Metaphor Series was born. 


    CREATING "october 7"

    Due to recent events unfolding in my Homeland, I felt an urge as an artist to express my emotions. 


    This project has been a roller coaster for me since I committed to it, but the dedication was undeniably present, and I couldn't quit, despite my desire to do so.


    When I first started to create “October 7” I was traumatized by the conflict and I wanted to capture a moment in time. As the conflict escalated in real-time, my painting took on a rough and dark quality. At one point, I paused to observe and reflect on the progress.


    Suddenly I didn’t feel any specific emotion about my painting, rather, I sensed an overwhelming roughness and violence that seemed contradictory, as it did not align with what Israel and its people stand for. To me Israel is a place of joy, diversity and optimism. My Israel is a blue sky, happiness, God, ancient times and a Holy Land. 

    (Previous version of "October 7")


    Feeling that there was already too much hatred in the world, I didn't want to contribute to the darkness or add to the global madness and war fervor. Therefore, I made a conscious decision to transform my painting into something softer, illustrating the Israel I know and remember.

    (Final Version of "October 7")

    Copyright © 2026 Ilona Avart - All Rights Reserved.

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