Nurit David (; born June 24, 1952, Tel Aviv, Israel) is an Israeli painter and art educator known for her contributions to contemporary Israeli art. Her works often explore themes of identity, memory, literature, and cultural narratives. David’s creative career spans several decades and has earned her awards and recognition both in Israel and internationally.
Early life and education Nurit David was born in Tel Aviv and grew up in Ness Ziona. From 1975 to 1978, she studied at HaMidrasha, the Art Teachers' Training College in Ramat HaSharon, where she developed a passion for painting and visual arts. Her academic involvement continued when she became a teacher of painting at the same institution, now known as Beit Berl College School of Art, from 1986 to 2007. Between 2002 and 2006, she also taught painting at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.
Artistic career Since 1982, David has been associated with the Givon Gallery in Tel Aviv. Her work frequently engages with literature, historical references, and personal narratives.
David lives and works in Tel Aviv, where she remains a part of the Israeli art community.
Notable solo exhibitions
1979: Sara Gilat Gallery, Jerusalem 1987: “ABA (Father),” Israel Museum, Jerusalem 1991: “To Learn Writing from Trees,” Givon Gallery, Tel Aviv (catalogue) 1994: “Paintings after ‘Dubliners’ by James Joyce,” Givon Gallery, Tel Aviv 2001: “Landscapes,” Herzliya Museum of Art 2007: “I Was Born Chinese,” Tel Aviv Museum of Art (catalogue) 2015: “Two Cities, the Same Island,” Haifa Museum of Art 2017: “Nobody’s Clothing / An Outline for a Business,” Givon Gallery 2022: “Ibn Gabirol Bau – Winter Version,” Givon Art Forum, Tel Aviv
Selected group exhibitions 1986: “The Want of Matter as a Quality in Israeli Art,” Tel Aviv Museum of Art 1991: 21st Biennial of São Paulo, Brazil 1993: “Makom,” Museum of Modern Art, Vienna 1998: “After Rabin – New Art from Israel,” Jewish Museum, New York 2005: “Die Neue Hebräer,” Gropius Bau, Berlin 2019: “Keeping at Distance,” Petach Tikva Museum of Art 2022: “Material Imagination,” Tel Aviv Museum of Art
Awards and recognition 1983: Beatrice S. Colliner Award for Young Artists, Israel Museum, Jerusalem 1993: Sandberg Prize for Israeli Art, Israel Museum, Jerusalem 2003: Minister of Culture and Education, Israel Prize for Art and Design 2006: Rappaport Prize, Tel Aviv Museum of Art 2015: Dizengoff Prize, Tel Aviv Municipality 2017: Life Achievement Prize, Ministry of Culture and Education, Israel 2018: Honorary Fellowship, Tel Aviv Museum of Art
Collections David’s works are held in major public collections, including:
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem Tel Aviv Museum of Art Ein Harod Museum The Jewish Museum, New York
Bank Discount Art Collection, Rishon, lezion
Publications In addition to her painting, David has contributed essays and stories to art magazines and exhibition catalogues. Notable publications include:
1990: “While Beuys Was Pregnant,” Feminine Presence catalogue, Tel Aviv Museum of Art 1996: “Towards a Body and From It,” The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute 2007: “The Landscape Teacher,” Tel Aviv Museum of Art catalogue 2016: “The Happy Business,” story accompanying the exhibition “Nobody’s Clothing.”
References
External links
The Jewish Museum Tel Aviv Museum of Art Givon Art Gallery