David Bar-Chai is an American born artist now living full time in Israel. After several exciting years living, exhibiting and teaching in Mexico, he finally decided it was time to return "Home."Since 2005 he has renewed his interest in murals, accepting commissions both private and public (mu-rá-lo-gy). Currently he is working on a series of public commissions for the Hotel/Museum Dona Gracia depicting views of old Tiberias.
He has exhibited in Greece, Israel, and Mexico, as well as his native United States. In his latest exhibition he has reflected his adoration of the iconic actresses of Hollywood – “there was something timeless about their beauty that I had to capture!”
When not working on murals, he continues his experiments in collage as well as a new series of work investigating the concept of movements via the landmark photographs of Muybridge.
David Bar-Chai believes that Art must always contain an inner dimension – the subjects must be felt as well as seen. And seen over time, allowing the essence to slowly reveal itself, ripening like sweet fruit.
Born: 1965
Education:
1992-1994 Loyola University
1989-1991 University of Maine
1986-1988 University of Texas
Exhibition History:
2008 “Maya” series; Artesano, San Agustinillo, Oaxaca, Mexico
2007 “Hollywood Soirée” at Boutique Darla,
San Miguel de Allende, GTO. Mexico.
2006 One Man Show, El Jardin Adentro; Galería Aspen;
San Miguel de Allende, GTO. Mexico
2005 Group Show; Artesano; San Agustinillo, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Group Show, Paradise; Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico.
2004 Group Show; Galleria Casa Diana;
San Miguel de Allende, GTO. Mexico.
One Man Show, “Mediations;” El Patio Eventos;
San Miguel de Allende, GTO. Mexico
2002 Group show; B.I.S.T.A.(Business in Support of Texas Artists);
Borders Books; San Antonio, Texas.
2000-2002 Studio David Bar-Chai, open studio and teaching center located in the
Artists' Quarter, Tz’fat, Israel.
1999 One Man Show, “The Many Moods of Paros”;
Saint Athanasios Hall; Naousa, Paros, Greece.
1998 Group Show, “Figuration”;
Astoria Gallery; New Orleans.
1997 “Things from the Attic,” (projected paintings)
Six and Half Dozen Rose Theatre;
Santa Monica, California.
Group Show, “Me-O-Rama,” (self portraits);
Hyperdisc Records; Santa Monica, California.
1996 Three Month Installation “Recent Works: Constructions”;
Holly Hills Café; Hollywood, California.
1995 Group Show, ARTS FEST 95;
The Faubourg Community Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
1994 One Man Show, “Dances From Life;”
The Neutral Ground; New Orleans, Louisiana.
1991 Group Show, Kennebec Valley Art Association; Hallowell, Maine.
Selected Biography:
1987
· Studies Psychology at the University of Texas
· Records and releases “Love Chorus,” which receives local radio play
1989
· Studies jazz guitar with Tony Gabry at the University of Maine at Augusta.
1990
· Exhibits early works on paper with KVAA, Hallowell, ME.
1991
· Writes and produces commercial jingles
· Releases Maine Mosquito/Song for Gail.
1992
· Studies music theory and composition at Loyola University.
· Transfers to the College of Visual Arts.
1993
· Writes a string quartet, Twilight, which is performed at the 2nd Annual Composers Recital
1994
· Has first one man show, “Dances from Life”
1995
· Moves to Los Angeles.
· Meets future wife, Bassia Bar-Chai (née Loebel)
1996
· Founds Project Spotlight, an avant garde performance forum.
· Begins writing art criticism, “Painting as it was meant to be,” a review of the painter Murray Schiff, is published in the Bi-coastal monthly Coagula.
1997
· “Things from the Attic,” a modern dance performance features projected paintings from the “Dancer” series.
1998
· Astoria Gallery in New Orleans exhibits several of the ‘Dancer” paintings.
1999
· Has a one man show “The Many Moods of Paros”.
· Works as a Scenic Artist for director Paul Warner.
2000
· Paints a mural in the home of Dr. Raphael Rosen.
· Opens Studio David Bar-Chai in the Artist’s Quarter of Tz’fat, Israel.
2002
· Moves to San Antonio to reconnect with family.
2003
· Moves to Artist’s Colony, San Miguel de Allende, GTO., Mexico.
2004
· Participates in a Group Show at the Galería Casa Diana.
· Has first One Man Show in Mexico, “Mediations” at El Patio Eventos.
2005
· Exhibits watercolors on the Oaxaca coast.
· Launches Mu·rá·lo·gy, a San Miguel based mural company.
2006
· Joins the Galería Aspen in San Miguel de Allende
· Executes a mural at the home Patricia Herlbert
· Offers watercolor workshops -- “Get Wet With Watercolor!”® in San Agustinillo on the Oaxacan coast.
· Executes “Pelicans” mural for the El Pelícano Café.
2007
· Provides “Hollywood Portraits” for Hollywood Soirée at Boutique Darla.
· Exhibits collages at Galería Helena Moreno, San Miguel de Allende.
· Moves to the Oaxacan coast full-time.
2008
·Finishes the book of poetry “Sketching the Stars”
·Exhibits the “Maya” at the new location of Artesano, San Agustinillo.
·Executes a “Maya” mural scheme for Rose Guillen Wenzel, Hotel Arigalan.
·Records 19 songs for the David Bar Chai Songbook project.
·Moves back to Israel and settles in the historic city of Tiberias.
·Paints several works for the Hotel Dona Gracia, some inspired by the work of the famous watercolorist, David Roberts, RA, the others based on archival photos of old Tiberias.
