Varda Yatom
Artist statement
My work explores the relation between personal identity and culture; between the given references of symbol and meaning, and moral values.
I seek to reveal how an object becomes meaningful within its cultural context. The Jewish tradition is deeply rooted in texts; this is a verbal culture of intense appreciation for the depths of language. In my work I am interested in bringing to presence synonyms that carry original meanings of human experience.
From a technical perspective, process and concept have played the dominant role in my work. The process of physical creation is intrinsic to my work; it is not separate from the result. I seek to display the patterns of material language as part of the vocabulary of the piece. In my conceptual understanding of my work, I resist traditional aesthetic norms. This raises questions for me about the connection between moral and aesthetic values.
