David Gerstein - Exhibition catalogue 2014

Front Cover: Synergy 146 X 160 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

CATTO GALLERY100 Heath Street • Hampstead • London NW3 1DP

Tel: +44 (0)20 7435 6660 • [email protected]

October 2014Solo Exhibition

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David Gerstein was born in Jerusalem in 1944, and studied in Paris, New York and London as well as his home city. He is oneof Israel’s most prominent artists – with pieces exhibited at the Rosenfeld Gallery in the heart of Tel Aviv. His statues feature inmany Israeli cities, and adorn public spaces in museums, universities, playgrounds and television studios. Reproductions of hisworks have been published in all Israeli newspapers; and have appeared on huge billboards.

As a boy he made his own toys from anything that came to hand – thus people and cars were cut out of cardboard, with windows,wheels and doors painted on. The same joyful colours are used in his wall-sculptures today. In his trademark cut-outs (eventhough most are fashioned in three layers) - something can still be seen of the two-dimensional painted cars and toys of his youth.

In this new show we are delighted to include a selection of David's paintings, on display for the first time in the UK. The collectionis diverse – ‘Open To The Sea’ reveals familiar Gerstein tropes – not least the vase of flowers – as does the trompe L'oeil ‘ThreeTubes Of Paint’. 

Other works are more abstract in concept while ‘Golden Fishes’ goes to the other extreme: a lovely traditional work that revealsa side to the artist we rarely see.

The paintings are a delight. But the bulk of the show is, of course, wall sculpture. David has grown an international reputation forthis signature style, which he first discovered in 1995 when he began laser cutting in metal his computer-generated ideas. 

One of the most delightful new works for this Catto show is ‘My Palette’. This wall sculpture comprises an array of paint tubessuspended in mid-air, each held in space by a thin stream of paint growing out of an artist's palette. It has all the elements ofclassic Gerstein – exuberant colours, a lovely dancing arrangement, an element of abstraction and a touch of wit.

Today, his approach remains the same. He uses paints acquired from suppliers to the automobile industry, which is lacquered togive a gleaming 'showroom' effect. The end result clearly owes a debt to the pop art of Jasper Johns, Frank Stella and RoyLichtenstein. Like these masters, David takes pleasure in the paraphernalia of daily life and in vivacious primary colours.

Other new pieces worth looking out for include ‘Synergie’ and ‘Happy Hour’ with their butterfly armies, and the pun-filled ‘ArtAttack’, comprising an array of brushstrokes enclosing a metal heart. Elsewhere, Gerstein fans will welcome another chance toenjoy his trademark blurs of cyclists, butterflies, dancers, joggers and more.

ART ATTACK76 X 169 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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5TH AVENUE E69 X 78 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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5TH AVENUE F76 X 69 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

5TH AVENUE G73 X 69 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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MY PALETTE90 X 60 cm, Edition of 75, Hand Painted Metal

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AMSTERDAM BOUQUET100 X 78 cm, Edition of 95, Hand Painted Metal

LONDON BOUQUET100 X 76 cm, Edition of 95, Hand Painted Metal

TEL AVIV BOUQUET100 X 77 cm, Edition of 95, Hand Painted Metal

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Paintings by David Gerstein

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GOLDEN FISH140 X 180 cm Oil on Board

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THREE TUBES WITH PAINTING30 X 40 cm Oil on Board

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OPEN TO THE SEA140 X 180 cm Oil on Board

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LANDSCAPE WITH A BIRD60 X 80 cm Oil on Board

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VIEW OF NAHAM100 X 120 cm Oil on Board

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BLOSOM GARDEN WITH PATHS80 X 60 cm Oil on Board

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HAPPY HOURS160 X 152 cm, Edition 150, Hand Painted Metal

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ELEGANCE140 X 65 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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ECSTASY60 X 48 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

TRANCE50 X 45 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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GRAFFITI HEART87 X 79 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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ITS A DATE50 X 68 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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BURNING LIPS120 X 198 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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FRENCH WINDOW72 X 46 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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BIG PELOTON WAVE B78 X 163 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

BIG PELOTON WAVE A75 X 156 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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TOUR DE FRANCE (HORIZONTAL)180 X 70 cm, Edition of 150, Hand Painted Metal

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CHAMPION HEART (STROKES OF LOVE) COW / NAVA

BUTTERFLY / VERED POPPIES (LARGE) CYCLE BOWL (LARGE)

100 KISSES ACKRE BIRD BUTTERFLY / NAOMI

SMALL OBJECTSDavid Gerstein’s collection of small metal objects make perfect gifts (even to oneself)! Ranging in price from £90 - £250, just phone

the gallery on 020 7435 6660 and place your order. Delivery can take up to 6 weeks (depending on what we have in stock).

Back Cover: Dancing Heart 60 X 31 cm, Edition 150, Hand Painted Metal

BUTTERFLY / ALONA NEW DANCERS COW / ELZA

WIGGINS BUTTERFLIES FOREVER JOG MAN

HANUKIA-BUTTERFLIES SPRING RIDE WALKING PAST (TRIPTYCH)

CATTO GALLERY100 Heath Street • Hampstead • London NW3 1DP

Tel: +44 (0)20 7435 6660 • www.cattogallery.co.uk • [email protected]

Opening times: 10am - 6pm Mon - Sat • 12.30pm - 6pm Sunday • and by appointment

EXHIBITION DATES: 23rd October - 11th November 2014